How full is the glass?

I had a friend once tell me that when he saw a certain person on the street, he did his very best to avoid them. He would even cross to the other side of the street. I asked, “why?” and he said, “because I can be having the best day of my life and then I start talking with that person and they let the air right out of the balloon and I become instantly depressed.” I thought “wow” and what a way to be labeled by somebody else. Unfortunately, it is true with many people.

I have to watch myself because if you observe the bleak picture being painted for us on the news, it can be pretty depressing. I have this recurring thought of being in a long line of hundreds of people waiting for soup or having to give up my house and move in with my older brother. These are not good thoughts.

Then I think about all those people who have far less than me, and yet they don’t complain about anything. They are so happy with the simplest things in life. Some of the most unselfish, caring and spiritual people with the best attitudes I have ever met are people with modest means. They are not trying to “keep up with the Jones” or impress anyone at all. They are who they are and believe what they believe and that is just fine with them. It just amazes me how many that happens so many times.

So, even in the worst of times, I am developing a better attitude about things. I am not going to complain about my 50-something back, or how cold it is, or how the price of something has gone up or how bad the driver is in front of me. I am going to take the high road just like a lot of the people who really have something to complain about but don’t.

I once watched a speaker from Chicago pour tea into a 12-ounce glass halfway. He looked at it and said, “It is up to you how you interpret the glass of tea. It is either half empty or half full.” Personally, I am voting for “half full” from now on. It just seems much easier to me and I bet I will be a lot happier too. So, have a great day, week, month, 2010 and life! Things look really great to me.


Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Thinking About the Year End

As we approach the end of the calendar year, there is hopefulness among charitable organizations that something good is going to happen. There is a hope that people will feel more benevolent during the holiday season and give money. They recognize that the first 11 months of 2009 have been far less successful than anticipated. Organizations are “holding out hope” that this final month of the year will “pay off” financially. Additional optimism occurs when charities think about donors who need a tax break and will give generously to their organization.

What a wonderful fantasy they are having. I don’t think there is much chance this will happen in December 2009. Why? Well, most people are either struggling to make ends meet (average incomes), need assistance from others to survive (below average incomes) or lost 55% of their portfolio in the stock market (higher incomes). Those who lost money are trying to recover those funds and are worried about their own future retirement possibilities. Any of these three scenarios does not bode well for charities this year end.

The good news; I believe, that 2010 will be a far better year for all charities. I truly believe we have weathered a very tough storm and that we can begin repairing our organizations next year. Charitable giving will improve in 2010 and it will improve in the business, grant making and individual/private sectors. So, don’t expect a huge windfall in December, it likely won’t come. Do expect more funds and better circumstances for all of next year. I really think help from generous supporters is just around the corner and better times are ahead for charities.

Happy Holidays to All.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina