Looking at an Empty Glass

The definition of an optimist is one who sees a glass half full. A pessimist sees the same glass as half empty. What then do you call a person who sees the glass empty? Give up?
You call them no longer thirsty. Maybe they are just practical. The one who instead of pondering the philosophical implications of a glass of water grasps the reality and acts on it.

I tend to be a thinker. Sometimes I over think things. There is a time and place for that kind of mental analysis of action – the chess game, politics, corporate machinations. Often though it is not a matter of thinking but of feeling and then acting. I am hungry therefore I will eat. I am thirsty so I drink. I see a need and I step into the breech. There is no need for extreme thought and a cost/benefit analysis. Sometimes you just have to go with your emotional intelligence and give someone a hug or a kind word or a helping hand.

Why this little rant? Because I see too many people standing at ground zero thinking. They are absorbed in deep thought trying to parse the path that will lead to the best outcome for themselves instead of reaching down and helping the fallen to stand. We are in the season of Lent. This is a time of penance, alms giving, and prayer. That sounds pretty introspective and it is. At the same time it is demanded that we “give up” something that brings us into solidarity with the poor and suffering. We are tasked to “be Christ” in the world – Clothe the naked, feed the hungry, comfort the infirm, visit the prisoner. These are all actions. That means we need to DO SOMETHING! What are you doing?