YOUR AD HERE »

Vail Daily column: Filled to the brim

Have you ever poured a drink into a glass and filled it to the brim? Have you filled it, not just to the brim but all the way up to the level where the liquid crowns at the top of the glass without spilling over the side?

When we do this, we tend to lean forward over the glass and take a sip so that we can get the glass to a manageable position that allows us to freely lift it and drink without fear of spillage.

So what is it we are filling our bodies and minds with? What are we pouring in to our systems that fill us to the brim? Are we filled with happiness and joy, knowledge and wisdom, passion and purpose? Or are we allowing others to pour in trouble, sorrow, pain, anguish, negativity, doubt and fear?



You know what happens when we actually fill a glass to the brim, crowning it with milk, water, soda, beer or whatever it is we have poured for ourselves. As careful as we are when taking those initial sips to make the glass manageable and free from spillage, sometimes spills happen. And unfortunately, sometimes we spill our drink on the person standing next to us.

What fills you up?

Support Local Journalism



Now, think about that for a minute. If we are filled to the brim with joy, happiness, a positive attitude and outlook, love and kindness and we accidentally spill some over the side, and maybe even on the person next to us, those spills would typically be well received and appreciated.

However, if we are filled to the brim with negativity, pessimism, fear, doubt and drama and happened to spill those all over the person next to us, he or she would probably feel the need to go to the cleaners and have those stains removed.

What spills over?

It is important to recognize what we are filling our mind and body with. It is equally important to understand that whatever we fill our bodies and minds with will one day, intentionally or unintentionally, spill out on to those around us. So ask yourself, when that happens, what do you want people around you to see or feel? Will they walk away feeling better and appreciate the gift you have shared? Or will they walk away and head straight to the dry cleaners to get the stains removed? The choice is really up to you.

Ask yourself if your glass is filled to the brim. Is it crowning at the top and spilling over? I would love to hear all about it at gotonorton@gmail.com. and when we are spilling out the good stuff, it really will be a better than good week.

Michael Norton is a strategic consultant, business and personal coach, and motivational speaker. He writes a weekly motivational column for the Vail Daily.


Support Local Journalism