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.
Judith Brady
July 26, 2017
Your story reminded me of a time years ago two weeks before Christmas. I was at a shopping mall in a total shopping frenzy because it was crunch time and I was behind in my gift buying ! Everywhere I looked ,people were stressed, lines were long and I was aggravated….until…. I saw a mother (harried as well) with her little girl. The child spotted a display of children’s hair bands,clips and barettes and was mesmerized by all the sparkles and feathers and what have you. She was in her own little happy world, oblivious to the chaos around her . Children can sometimes be the best life instructors! They often live in the moment,fully enjoying the joys and new experiences .I remind myself of that little experience when I am in my harried moments and unable to change what’s going on around me.
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Nancy Loderick
July 26, 2017
Hi Miss Judi,
What a cute story and oh so true. We all need to stop and take a breath and look at our surroundings with new eyes! The world would a lot happier if we all did that. 🙂
Nancy
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Eileen R. Feigenbaum
July 26, 2017
Oh Nancy, I love this. So true that so much enjoyment comes from how you look at things not what you’re looking at.
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Nancy Loderick
July 26, 2017
Hi Eileen,
Thanks for your comment. We can really make our own reality.
Nancy
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Ken Loderick
July 27, 2017
It’s been said that your perceptions are your reality. Change your perceptions and you change your reality. Nice human interest story dear wife!
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Nancy Loderick
July 29, 2017
Thank you Mr. Ken. 🙂
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