By Geoff Tan

THE way we choose to lead our lives, to a large extent, boils down to how we view our worst predicaments.

The fact is, just about everything can be seen in a negative light if you choose to do so.

Owning a Mercedes-Benz can be a good thing only if we don't start bitching about the fact that we would rather have a Rolls-Royce.

Living in a District 21 leasehold private condominium can be gratifying only if we don't envy our peers who own freehold bungalows in more upmarket precincts.

The analogy of the proverbial half-full or half-empty glass also applies in each instance.

Life is all about the choices we make. If we adopt the right attitude to things, situations will not appear as bad as they seem.

As we embark on life's journey, we can choose to enjoy the ride or hate every bit of the trip.

This reminds me of someone called Jerry.

Every time someone asked him how he was, he would reply: "If I were any better, there would be two of me!"

When asked how he could be so positive about things, he would cheerfully share the choices he had made, from the time he woke up till he hit the sack.

This includes choosing to be in a good rather than bad mood.

Whenever a bad situation rears its ugly head, he will tell you that he constantly chooses to learn from it rather than be a victim of circumstance.

Jerry is a restaurant manager. One of his stories is how he was shot by robbers out to grab his takings, who then left him to die.

However, as he was being attended to by doctors, Jerry's positive attitude prevailed, and he chose to live instead off resigning himself to impending death.

He did this by encouraging the medical team. He told them to operate on him with the attitude of wanting to save him, rather than to feel defeated by the grim situation they were facing.

As you might have guessed, Jerry survived.

Consider this: Before you next complain about something, think of someone who could be in a worse situation than you.

Choose not to lash out with your tongue, but to look on the brighter side of things instead. For example, before you say something unkind, think of someone who is unable to talk.

Before you complain about the food you are eating, think of those who are starving. Or before you complain about your job and the intense stress you have to bear, think about the unemployed and the disabled.

The next time you are on the verge of complaining about how uncontrollable your children are, think about those who are barren.

Appreciate your spouse rather than criticise him or her. There are many people out there who crave a companion but who have not been fortunate enough to be blessed with one.

Be thankful that you are alive and well.

Shake off that negative streak if you are one of those who are accustomed to always seeing the glass as half empty.

Complain less, smile more, and let us all become a nation of Jerrys.

myp@sph.com.sg

The writer is a senior vice-president of the SPH marketing division and the general manager of SPH NewMedia for Zapcode.

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