A New Perspective

It's really true that reality = truth + perception. I see it every day. While it may be true that one of our patients has received all the correct treatments, tests, and medications, when a concerned family member notices that the linens haven't been changed, the trash hasn't been emptied, or the food is cold, the perception of the quality of care is impacted. Their reality changes.

All of life is like this. I once heard that reality is 10% what happens, and 90% how I respond to it. That means I have a lot of control over my reality, even when I don't have much control over what happens. It's all in my outlook or my attitude.

To prove this to myself I set out on a walk with my camera in hand, determined to see something in a new or different way. I took the same route I usually take; I wore the same shoes I always wear; and plugged my iPhone in like I always do. By all accounts it was the same walk I've taken hundreds of times before.

But this time I chose to look at things differently. I looked for things that I hadn't seen before. I looked up, and I looked down. I looked at details and I looked at the big picture. And I was pretty amazed at what I found. What new or different things can you discover in your every day?

Noticing light

Looking ahead

Looking up

Looking down

Looking carefully

Listening

Noticing - Can you see me?

Appreciating the ordinary.

Semper Fi!

Yesterday David took a huge first step on his journey into adulthood. He took the enlistment oath to join the United States Marine Corps. As he has done a half dozen times before, he left from home around 3 p.m. Sunday, spent the night at a local hotel, woke up at 4 a.m., and arrived at the Camp Dodge MEPS (Military Enlistment Processing Station) before 7 a.m. During previous visits, he had completed aptitude exams, physical exams, or simply spent time with other recruits. This time, however, he spent several hours talking about his goals with enlistment officers in order to make sure this was really what he wanted to do. Then, at around 1 p.m., seven young men were led in reciting the following:

I, David Miedema, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegience to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

I felt a bit like I do whenever I see a young couple recite their wedding vows...hopeful, emotional, and just a bit sorry for the poor young folks who have no clue what they are getting into. These seven boys were so young; kids really.  But their eyes revealed their excitement about becoming soldiers.

David is in a delayed enlistment program, which means he won't actually enter until next March. Meanwhile, he will participate in local exercises with his recruiter and other recruits in order to prepare for the rigors of boot camp. Until March, life won't change much. He will continue to work part time, play X-Box, and hang out with friends. But come next March this young man will get on a fast track to manhood! Let's pray that we bring our guys home from Afganistan before then.