THUMBS UP

I was out walking my dogs one recent evening when I looked down the street and saw our neighbor Joe sitting outside. Our dogs love Joe so we headed over to say "hi" before continuing on with our walk.

Joe is a handsome young man in his early 20s. He spends most of his time in a wheelchair, and although I've spoken to him on many occasions I've never been able to understand a word he says. Joe has cerebral palsy.

On this particular summer evening, he was sitting outside in his wheelchair, watching the world go by, country music blaring on the outside speakers. His mom, a courageous single mother has raised Joe (and a younger sister) singlehandedly, and given him as much opportunity to enjoy life as she can. He smiled big as we approached. The dogs surrounded Joe tails wagging, giving him a friendly lick on a hand, arm or whatever, and hoping for a pet. Joe loves dogs and they know it.

When I greeted Joe, he smiled and nodded. I asked how his six-month-old companion dog Kumo was doing. Again he smiled and made an approving sound as if to say, "great!" I asked if he was excited about the Fourth of July coming up. Again, Joe's smile widened and his eyes got big and animated. Finally, I asked how he was doing. Joe gave me one of those ear-to-ear smiles and with all the effort he could muster, gave me a big thumbs up! I returned it with a high five and wished him a happy Fourth.

By this time, the school yard across the street was clear of others, and the dogs were ready for a good run in the 100 degree heat, so we said goodbye and walked on. But that image of Joe, wheelchair bound, unable to speak a word that I could understand, giving me the thumbs up, as if to say, "life just couldn't be any better," is burned in my brain. It humbled me and brought me to tears. I thought of how many times I take for granted the simple things in life...the fact that I can walk and talk, the ability to see and hear and taste, the freedom I enjoy to choose the activities that I want to do and so much more.

Joe, on the other hand, is dependent upon others to do most everything for him. But there is one thing he does for himself, something that everyone of us can do...he chooses his attitude. He chooses to enjoy what life brings him, and his joy is contagious.

Next time you feel like complaining or grumbling about some annoyance or the driver who cut you off in traffic, I hope you'll remember Joe and his inspiring attitude. Maybe your situation or circumstances right now are less than desireable; maybe you're worried about $4 a gallon gas. Maybe you have a lot on your mind and you feel powerless to do much to change your situation or circumstances. But I invite you right now to be like Joe, and choose the attitude you want to have regardless of circumstances. As psychologist and concentration camp survivor Dr. Victor Frankl wrote in his classic work, "Man's Search for Meaning", the greatest freedom and the one no one can take from us is the freedom to choose our attitude.

So next time someone asks you how you're doing...think of Joe, and give them the thumbs up.

Quote of the Week:

"Everything can be taken from a man but ...the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
~~Dr. Victor Frankl

"Transforming Your Potential into Performance!"
Betty Mahalik, PCC Life & Business Coach, Trainer bettym@dynamic-coaching.com www.dynamic-coaching.com	Dynamic Solutions 5240 Mustang St. Las Vegas, NV 89130 tel: 702 658-4425 fax: 702 658-5802 mobile: 702 443-0175
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