It’s Always a Matter of Perspective

Being a Full-Time business owner & a Stay-At-Home Dad can be interesting sometimes. I love being able to have a few hours to focus on the task at hand. I also love being able to spend time with my kids. The balance of it all is what’s interesting. Working through it all is fun and can be rewarding if it’s done right.

Do you know the origins or beginning stages of the idea of “The Projects”? They were meant to aid people who struggled with low income and give them a place to stay. The idea goes back to the 1800s. Today, they are mostly populated by African American people. Growing up, I realized that The Projects were on the opposite side of town from the nicer homes and subdivisions.

One morning, I was taking my son to school (and it happens to be on the nicer side of town) and has I slowed down to get in the carpool line, I noticed something awkward. In the midst of all these nice restaurants and larger homes, sat this well-kept and maintained “Apartment Complex”. I was taken back! Even though this building was the definition of a Project complex, it was on the nicer side of town. There were nicer cars parked in front. People walking down the street were smiling. And I am sure that the rent was much higher too. But then again, it’s just a building. So what is my point here?

If the same buildings that were built to help people escape poverty were assisting someone else living a more lavish lifestyle, then is the issue the building? No. The issue isn’t 4 walls. The issue is perspective.

It doesn’t matter where you live, how bad your life may seem, or how awful your situation may be. At the end of the day, you own the power to change. You own the power to adjust your view your problems differently. It is in our nature to look at things and immediately locate the negative. But how often do we spin our own problems around and view them from a positive standpoint. In every situation, we can find the positive. It seemingly comforts us to find justification in the negative.

I challenge you today to list your issues, concerns, and problems today. If you truly can’t find the negative, then start working on your solution to change your situation.

At the end of the day, it’s just a building…