This is only half true, because I get to know about all the good things too.

As difficult as it may be to see the glass as half full, I’ve recently re-established my mindset to look at the positive side of things, which changed my life immensely.

For the past few months I have had somewhat of a pessimistic outlook with an imbalance of socio-economic factors affecting our country.

My work, studies and social life were not in my favour.

With it being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I recently attended a “Cansa goes Vintage” fundraiser in Petit, hosted by SA’s Bachelorette finalist, Sonel Luyt.

Along with a talk I had with a friend about positivity earlier that week, this was where I underwent my change of heart.

Luyt lit up my day when she took to the podium with a story of a child with eye cancer, who she recently visited in a hospital in Pretoria.

She said despite her condition, the child is a spontaneous, intelligent and energetic person, who believes in her own bright future.

Luyt told how a nurse brought the child a colouring-in book to which she amusedly responded by saying “Don’t be silly. You know I cannot see properly.”

The child would not be brought down by her circumstances.

More stories were shared by attending cancer survivors who maintained a positive attitude throughout their journeys.

The compassion, ambition and lust for life showed by people at this event who have a second chance at life inspired me to enjoy every bit of mine more.

If a young child with cancer, can be happy despite her condition, surely I, with perfect health have no reason not to smile.

Giving feedback after but a few days, I can testify that looking past the negative aspects in life gave me ambition to do better, think clearer and work harder and I am happier than I’ve been in months.

My conclusion is that happiness is all in the mind and how you choose to look at things and how much you believe in yourself.

“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” – Scott Hamilto.TB