Ask Not “What if it rains?” but Ask “What if it’s a glorious day?”

Caloy : “Pops, next weekend mag-outing tayo. Picnic tayo sa beach.”

Popoy: “O sige, pero pano kung umulan? Pano kung mahangin at malakas ang alon? Pano kung maraming tao sa beach?”

Negative people concentrate their attention on the obstacles and not the main goal. In this case, simply to enjoy the outdoors and have a good time. By focusing too much on potential problems, a pessimist gets discouraged into even trying. Ang masama kasi, kahit hindi naman siguradong mangyayari o kahit maliit na bagay lang, sa isip ng isang pessimist big deal at parang nangyari na. Eventually, the pessimist almost always decides to do nothing. Status-quo lang. Walang pagbabago. Walang taking risks.

I believe, life to be fully enjoyed, one has to take risks. And I’m not referring to death-defying risks at all. There are somethings we cannot predict. Therefore some outcomes we should simply learn to accept and make the most out of them as they unfold. Learn to plan your life with a positive outlook, positive expectations. Be aware of potential problems that may occur so you can prepare for contingencies. But don’t let negative thoughts deter you from even trying. Instead of asking, what if it rains, ask what if it’s a glorious day?

Caloy: “Ganito na lang. Tuloy tayong mag-outing sa weekend. Kapag pangit ang weather mag-barbecue tayo at mag-inuman sa bahay. Okay ba ang contingency plan?”

Popoy: “Hindi. Mas maganda yata, inuman tayo sa weekend. Kapag maganda weather, mag-outing tayo.”

Huh? Pareho din ba? Maybe, but if you really think about it, they are dissimilar. One of them plans life with a positive outlook. The other with a negative outlook and only proceeds to do something different when conditions are favorable.

If you stayed home because you anticipated that it will rain but it didn’t, then have you not robbed yourself that golden opportunity to enjoy the outdoors? .......Don’t let the fear of rain ruin your chance of enjoying the sunshine. Don't just plan to live life. Plan to live an enjoyable life. ... Then... once in a while... don't plan ... just enjoy life.