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You Be The Judge.

January 15, 2014 By Lena

This morning, I’m conducting a little research for an article I’m writing on the optimism of Canadians in times of hardship, defeat or despair. The driving force behind the essay is the upcoming 2014 Olympics, and the delicate balance between hope, hard work and results – or acceptance.

As a group, Canadians are mostly optimistic. According to a recent poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of CTV News, in 2013:

79 per cent of Canadians ranked themselves in good health
72 per cent of Canadians believed their social life was adequate
61 per cent of Canadians were happy with their financial situation
60 per cent of Canadians enjoyed their sexual or romantic life

And in 2014, 85 per cent of working Canadians believe 2014 will be good for their job and career.

Show of Hands: Do you see the glass as half-full, or half-empty?

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: 2014 Sochi Olympics, Canadian Statistics, optimism, research

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. DebH

    January 15, 2014 at 8:14 am

    2013 wasn’t the best year in our household but I’m optimistic that 2014 will be a better year for us so I’m looking at the glass as being half-full.

    • Lena

      January 15, 2014 at 8:47 am

      Perfect. Optimism is a good thing!

  2. nicolthepickle

    January 15, 2014 at 8:43 am

    Half full, things never get as bad as your imagination makes them.

    • Lena

      January 15, 2014 at 8:47 am

      Love that, Nicoline. You’re so right.

  3. angie smith

    January 15, 2014 at 10:23 am

    my DH says there is no such thing as a realist. you’re either optimistic or pessimistic. Interesting food for thought all of this!

    • Lena

      January 15, 2014 at 12:47 pm

      Very interesting Angie! Something to think about for sure!

  4. Judy C (Judy Cowan)

    January 15, 2014 at 10:33 am

    Half full, even in rough/bad times there are always good things! You may just have to look harder to find them. No matter what is going on “it could always be worse” so better to stay optimistic :)

    • Lena

      January 15, 2014 at 12:47 pm

      Sometimes when I hear that saying, I start of thinking of a “worse” scenario!!! OMG.

  5. Flora M

    January 15, 2014 at 10:54 am

    2013 was an awful year – especially for my daughter and son-in-law and their family – health related mainly. I have a feeling it was “the year of the snake” (which was supposed to be really bad for people born in the year of the snake – my son-in-law, oldest granddaughter and my newest grandson). And those are the 3 people the issues revolved around. Thankfully January 31 is the start of a new Chinese year and most likely the turning point for their string of “bad luck”.
    For me, I am always optimistic that things will get better and these “bad times” are put in our paths to test our strength of character :)

    • Lena

      January 15, 2014 at 12:48 pm

      I’m sorry to hear it wasn’t that great. I certainly couldn’t tell – you are always pleasant and sweet in your comments! Looking forward to a year filled with good luck for you :)

  6. Michelle

    January 15, 2014 at 11:32 am

    full — it’s a value I want to teach my children

    • Lena

      January 15, 2014 at 12:49 pm

      Great value to teach them.

  7. Tricha

    January 15, 2014 at 11:45 am

    I am looking at this glass as half-full because I hoping for a better 2014. I keep telling my kids, whatever they are complaining about, there are kids out there who have nothing, so give thanks for what they have. Here’s to being optimistic!

    • Lena

      January 15, 2014 at 12:50 pm

      Giving thanks for what you have is a great way to live life. Kudos to you!

  8. Jennifer Hiles

    January 15, 2014 at 3:56 pm

    Always half full, I really like the saying that “attitude is everything” because I truly believe some people could change their lives for the better by changing their attitude. That includes me!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:05 pm

      I think this is perfectly stated, Jennifer!

  9. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    January 15, 2014 at 4:53 pm

    half full usually there are days though.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:06 pm

      There are always days :) Usually is good.

  10. Freda Mans

    January 15, 2014 at 5:43 pm

    I just see half a cup. I’m way too much of a realist.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:06 pm

      SO interesting!! Thanks for chiming in, Freda!

  11. MV

    January 15, 2014 at 6:15 pm

    I try to be optimistic but I agree with Jennifer Hiles…. it all starts with attitude

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:06 pm

      I tend to agree as well!

  12. Teresa Claire

    January 15, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    It depends on my mood but usually half full.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:07 pm

      Good to hear, thanks Teresa.

  13. Heidi C.

    January 15, 2014 at 9:31 pm

    I have a underlying tendency to worry so the glass is often half-empty but I am working to make it half-full.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:07 pm

      Ah, I have a problem with worrying too. It’s all about attitude, as Jennifer said above.

  14. Athena

    January 15, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    I look at it as half-full. Life is tough, but there are a lot of positives, and you can gain strength from thinking of them.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:07 pm

      So wonderfully put, Athena!

  15. InezbyDesign

    January 16, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    Hi Lena,

    This is a good question for me and for my community. We, as a community, were flooded and many are still not “home”. For our family, we were so fortunate to be only 2 and 3 months out, although there are still many things needed to be done for full clean up.

    One of the most wonderful feelings of the “Half Full” was the small mundane things that happened after. Like the first time we were able to turn on our heat. Or use our new washing machine…or for that matter just go into our basement. Then there was the sweet memories of receiving a Timmy’s card or a hand made quilt.

    I believe Canadians are a Half Full kind of people!

    InezbyDesign

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 4:57 pm

      Inez, I’m so sorry to hear about your recent misfortune, but the way you (and your community) have emerged from it tells the real story. You’re right – it’s finding the positive and good in “mundane” things that make all the difference :)

  16. Stephanie LaPlante

    January 20, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    Half full. I’m optimistic about this year too.

    • Lena

      February 9, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      Sounds wonderful, Stephanie!

  17. Nicole W.

    January 22, 2014 at 12:18 am

    Wow, those are some pretty good statistics! I definitely try to see the glass as half full! ;)

    • Lena

      February 9, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      Love it! That’s awesome Nicole.

  18. Victoria Ess

    January 23, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    It’s hard to answer this question. I do feel like I’m a realist who looks at a situation and judges it, and sometimes a situation is just pretty clearly something I don’t want. I also feel like I’m not the type of person who gets “down” about it; rather, I kind of use that judgment to fuel my next thoughts of “what can I change about it?” and “what is in my control?”

    • Lena

      February 9, 2014 at 2:17 pm

      I love the way you think, Victoria. It’s a great way to handle life’s situations!

  19. Cici G-H

    February 19, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    Interesting stats on Canadians! I am working on being more optimistic and seeing the glass half full!

    • Lena

      February 20, 2014 at 12:00 pm

      Me too – I wax and wane depending on my mood!

  20. kathy downey

    August 28, 2017 at 1:24 pm

    Half full,you have to think positive or you slowly drive yourself mad with worry!

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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