Perception

Normally, I just love taking the train into Boston. We are at the point in my consulting work where we go out and meet with clients who have applied for our work for the upcoming year. This is a lot of fun. It’s kind of like all the interest of consulting, but without any of the stress.

Well, this day I’m sitting on the train. I’m looking around and the train is filthy; it is quite disgusting. I can’t help but compare it to the New York/New Jersey commuter rails, where the trains are clean. And these trains handle a LOT more people than the little Boston commuter rails.

The train is also late. I’m stewing because I will be late for my client meeting. There are two other colleagues who will be joining me and they can handle the meeting, but I don’t like being late for things. I’m a little mad at myself because I should have taken an earlier train, even if that mean 90 minutes earlier.

Well, on one of the stops a little boy gets on with his mother. His eyes were wide with wonder and excitement. He happily exclaimed many things: “Wow, look at the conductor’s hat! Wow, look out the window at the trees! Wow, listen to that train whistle.” His excitement was palpable. You know how little kids get so excited they look as though they are about to burst.

I couldn’t help but smile at this little guy’s happiness. It really put things in perspective for me. Instead of looking at the dirty, unreliable train, I saw it with new eyes. All the cool things about the train.

How can you change your perceptions on things?

Happy boy photo is courtesy of Max Pixel, under Creative Commons Licensing.