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 Maria DiGiorgio is a lifelong New Yorker, who currently resides in Commack, with her family. She is a devoted wife and mother, an educator and designer. Maria is active in her community, as a PTA mom and Girl Scout leader. She has a passion for interior decorating and loves to garden. She is an avid reader, and enjoys writing about life experiences and parenthood, as well as her personal observations about the world around us. |
| Everyone knows the expression: “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”. Each person sees things from their own vantage point, based upon personal taste, life experiences, and ideas and ideals about what they view “beauty” to be. Well, beauty isn’t the only thing subject to the beholder’s fate. The way we view life, on the whole, and in day-to-day increments, is also ours to determine. The outlook one has on life and living is key to and directly correlated to the amount of happiness, fulfillment and purpose we attribute to our own. So many variables factor in: upbringing, values, faith, determination, passion, motivation, and inspiration, to name a few. These are the intangibles that we either possess or do not, and in amounts that either drive us in living life to the fullest, or keep us from being able to do so. Then, then there are the tangibles: health, income, social status, family and personal relationships, profession, where we live and with whom, etc. These are factors that also weigh heavily in determining the way we see life (in general, and on a personal level) to be. Many of the intangible factors will determine how we process the tangible ones. For instance, a positive viewpoint on life can greatly enhance a person’s ability to cope with health crises, unemployment or even matters of social-emotional strife. Conversely, someone who maintains a more pessimistic view, will, undoubtedly, struggle more with these and other issues of living. What’s a person to do, if they find themselves a part of the latter group? Although many intrinsic traits and characteristics are difficult to change (entirely), I believe they can be altered enough to make a positive difference in one’s attitude. I am not alone in this belief, apparently, as there are untold numbers of books, CD’s, DVD’s, seminars, television programs and all other means of self-help information available for the taking. A person need only have the slightest desire to see things differently or to seek self-improvement (physically, psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, financially, professionally), and already the spark has been ignited. Understanding and coming to embrace the notion that things CAN be viewed in different lights, opens a person’s mind and heart to countless possibilities. Connecting with individuals, either in person or through the means previously mentioned, can do wonders to help us broaden our perspective on life. Hearing about alternative outlooks or actions others have taken in dealing with the miniscule to the massive challenges of living, day-to-day, year-to-year, generation-to-generation, can bring us greater clarity, while pushing us to reflect on our own current beliefs and practices, and evaluating the benefits of making changes to improve upon them. The “glass is either half-full or half-empty” and that is our choice to see it as such. Knowing that we can effect positive change in our lives is truly a beautiful thing, if only you can see it! |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 