I learned something about my overall health while watching "Good Morning America" one day last week.

Actually, I already knew this bit of advice, and it makes perfect sense. However, I had not actively sought to make it part of my daily routine, like I do counting calories and making sure I get an adequate amount of exercise to compensate. You know — calories in, calories out.

But I was reminded that just as important as exercising and eating a balanced diet, maintaining a positive attitude and outlook on life is critical to good health.

I'm not very good at that. In fact, I'm guilty of hosting more than my share of pity parties. I have an increasingly more prevalent bad habit of seeing the glass as half empty instead of half full.

Perhaps all the frightening things we are hearing and reading about may have something to do with it. The terrible economy, the climbing numbers of deaths among our military in war zones, outrageous health-care costs, even food rationing dominate the news.

I've done all the right things to prepare for the future. I've worked hard, lived conservatively and saved money for retirement. But with so many factors regarding whether or not I will be able to live comfortably in retirement out of my control, I've been wondering more about if I will be able to retire than when.

More and more people I know are either retiring or are counting the years until retirement. They must know something I don't. I received an investment statement last week, and I almost cried. I know that the economy and stock markets have had their cyclical ups and downs, but this most recent downturn frightens me.

Consumer confidence at a five-year low? Record oil prices above $123 a barrel?

I'm trying to see the glass as half full.

A headline today at CNNMoney.com piqued my interest — "Why $120 oil is good." The analysis was that "the fundamental reality of oil — and the thing that makes it so attractive to investors in the first place — is that we are using ever more and finding ever less. High prices are necessary if we are to reduce demand, find new oil, and develop alternative technologies."

This same article predicted that the supply problem could easily lead to a so-called "super spike" in oil prices, ushering in $200-a-barrel crude in the next six to 24 months.

Still, I'm trying to see the glass as half full, but I keep thinking about how much it will cost me to fill my gas tank. Even if I could retire in a few years, I won't be able to afford the gasoline to go anywhere. Considering the price of groceries, I won't be able to afford food, either.

Hoping to improve my outlook on life, I riffled through my jewelry box looking for a pin that a former boss gave me nearly 20 years ago. It was a small pin on which the word "Attitude" was spelled out in gold lettering. He told me it was my golden attitude, and that I should always wear it proudly for others to see.

It was more than a pin. It was his way of instilling in me the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and professional demeanor.

No one wants to be around someone who is negative all the time. When we ask someone how they are doing, all we really want to hear is "just fine."

So despite what's in the news, and despite what the future may hold, I'm going to try to improve my attitude. I'm going to try to see the glass as half full.

Maybe I should just be thankful there is a glass, period.