Perspective
A short time ago a friend came by and we went out for a quick bite. I’d had a hectic and minorly frustrating day today and was complaining about it, as we are wont to do – most of us, anyway. After I’d vented and the conversation relaxed, my friend laughed.
I was puzzled. Neither of us had said anything amusing.
What’s funny? I asked.
You, he said. Listening to you rant about phone calls and classes and traffic jams instead of your medical operations or test results or upcoming procedures. I haven’t heard you do that in years.
Ouch.
I was stung for a moment, even a bit ashamed. WHAT was I doing, fretting about such things? After where I’d been? Perspective, Ed, please! Perspective!
And then I rejoiced.
Did I ever expect to worry about such everyday problems again? Did I ever expect to have everyday problems again? How far I’ve come! And how damn amazing is that!
I deeply thank my dear friend for that lesson.