How many times have we heard ‘Attitude is Everything’. Do you believe yourself when you say it? 

Recently at a business luncheon a business partner of mine asked me to speak to the attendees; in introducing me he described me as “incredibly gifted in making the best of what life offers”; immediately the butterflies in my stomach became soaring eagles and I felt as though the sun was shining from within me. 

What did he see in me that I take for granted or was he just saying this to make me feel good and to get the attention of my audience? Here is what I had to say that day: 

This morning I woke up and thanked the Lord for another day and another opportunity to be blessed and be a blessing to others. After getting ready for the day, I went in to wake my sons so they could get ready for school; my wife and I have twin boys, they are 15 years old, sophomores in high school and both of them were born with Down syndrome (DS) and both have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). And each day in preparing them for school can be filled with both joy and frustration, but regardless the bus arrives in our neighborhood at 6:30am and we must be ready. 

Breakfast was made and on the table when we arrived in the kitchen and my wife made sure that each of us boys received a warm ‘good morning’ and a kiss on the cheek; which each son quickly wiped from their face in a show of defiance and dislike as they wanted to stay in bed and sleep. We ate our breakfast in silence then put on our coats and backpacks, made sure we had our school ID cards and headed for the bus, still in silence. 

Upon its arrival my sons entered the bus, not saying goodbye or anything, and I started to think my whole day was ruined as I was walking back to the house, when all of the sudden the bus driver was honking the horn and the other children on the bus were waving for me to come back  . . . 

My sons sit in the front of the bus in the very first row directly across from each other, both had big alligator tears rolling down their cheeks; I dropped to my knees and they both hugged me and kissed my cheeks; as I wiped their tears they both said ‘sorry’ and whispered ‘you’, which from them means “I love you” and they returned to their seats and the bus was on its way. 

Walking back to my house, I had my own tears and my wife asked if everything was ‘ok’ to which I replied, “best morning of my life”. 

So, ladies and gentlemen, I ask you (and I paused and looked each person in the eye) how may I be of service to you; my sons seem to think I have what it takes. 

Some things are easier ‘said’ than ‘done’ but it all starts with what you tell yourself; and whether or not you actually ‘do it’ or not.