Half-empty or half full? I'm not advocating sticking your head in the sand, but there is something to be said about celebrating the only lives we have right now.

One can fret about the planet and enjoy the family at the same time ( without too much effort, most of the time ). Life is better than any alternative I've come across.

Life was good when I was a child because I had no responsibilities
Life was good when I was a young adult becase sex was great
Life was good when I was raising my children because I was too involved with it to care.
Life sux now - Society has moved beyond what I am able to attend. My body has begun to break down and my wisdom tells me more and more things are just not worth the hassle.

"The quality of your experience is determined by the focus of your attention." -- American Zen teacher Cheri Huber

I live in a crappy neighborhood with empty liquor bottles in the bushes and a halfway house over the back fence. My employer pays 15-40% below market rate and is undergoing major restructuring and layoffs right now. I'm still dealing with pain from an injury 11 months ago. The economy is tanking. The vet thinks my 18-year-old cat has terminal kidney problems.

And you know what? Life is good.

It seems like the older I get the more I have to shift into a lower gear to get going, particularly in the morning. I hope I don't run out of gears! Next time around I want a automatic transmission! LIFE IS GOOD!