Is the gas tank half full - or half empty?

I often tend to see things differently than others...as seems to be the case with the rising gas prices. While I can't say I enjoy spending more & getting less, I actually do appreciate some of the effects of rising gas prices. A few that come to mind are just the beginning of what, if given enough time, would likely become a much longer list:

I'm convinced higher gas prices are the means that will cause/force us to actually be better stewards of our environment (conserve!) & implement efficient renewable energy technology.... Didn't we learn this in the 70's?? - and - Is it really necessary/worth it to buy products that have been shipped across the ocean then hauled across America in trucks getting 5 mpg?! -- esp. when they're a.) silly trinkets, baubles & gadgets in a "Dollar Store" stuffed w/ stuff that serves little or no purpose (junk!); and b.) made out of petroleum (plastic!) in China where environmental & safety precautions taken in the mfg process are slim to none - which, in part, is why they can make stuff so cheap & undermine our economy at the same time?! Ugh! "It all" just provides even more motivation to support the little/local guy & buy Made/Grown in USA. Hopefully it makes more sense to those too, who could care less about all the other good (common sense!) reasons to do this. While it's not easy to find stuff made in the USA anymore...chances are what you do find is more essential in nature...& more friendly to nature.

I'm also trying to plan ahead/multitask more when I'm out & about to save money - & am trying to be more creative/simplistic in regards to having fun/entertaining ourselves - rather than driving us/our kids all over the map & paying to watch someone else do something/be entertained.

On a personal level, the effects of higher gas prices seem to be translating into something even more precious than money & gas --- more quality & quantity time spent w/ people I love the most (think... hikes, local parks, picnics, family movie nights, board games, outdoor sports, meals around the kitchen table).... & a healthier environment & lifestyle. .... And so it seems - paying more for less isn't such a bad deal now that I've (finally!) figured out that less (of non-essential things/stuff!) is actually more (of what's important & meaningful) ... but I have to think that has something to do w/ how one answers the question spelled out in the title of this post...