New View

In my boss's office at my last job, he had taped to the wall an old sheet of paper with the title "Attitude is Everything". It was a lengthy note and it's been quite a while since I've read it, but I remember that it suggested we control much about our day with our attitude. If we decide that we will have a positive attitude about our work and commit to that, we can maintain a positive outlook despite the problems that arise.

I can also remember thinking that following through on keeping a positive attitude is much more difficult when the number of problems increase. I was more likely to fall into a poor frame of mind and have it pervade all of my day.

I've often thought of that note since we left for our trip. Mostly because it has been much easier to maintain a positive outlook these days. What I have found is that while attitude is important, it is built on perspective.

My perspective on how things are going feeds my attitude. What has struck me the most about the first part of our journey is how many times I have stopped to really observe the situation. To look at what I am doing at that moment and put it into the scope of my life.

Sometimes it's easy, other times not so much. Quiet talks on the beach, easy. Hours in Washington D.C. traffic, more difficult. However, I have found that the more often I take the time to do it, the easier it gets.

You don't have to be on an epic journey to see it. It can be as simple as the new perspective you have watching "It's a Wonderful Life" for the first time as a father. I think that movie can give you a new vision every time you watch it.

My daughter will occasionally stop me in a moment and toss me into a different line of sight. The most dramatic, when I get a chance to look at myself from her vantage point. I learn something profound each time.

Sitting with her each day now and doing the job of teacher has made me want to send out letters of apology to all of my former teachers. She is a model student by comparison. It gives me a new perspective.

Waking up in a parking lot is much better in an RV. A new perspective.

Going to places I went when I was a kid with my children, and seeing them enjoy it or not. A new perspective.

I've told Becky a few times since we left that I look at somethings differently now. I'm glad I'm able to recognize it.

If I ever go back to my old office and see that note on the wall, I know that it will mean something different to me, because I have a completely new perspective.