Perspective: A Case Study In Developing Thought and Wisdom

[rt_reading_time label=”Reading Time:” postfix=”minutes”]

Have you ever wondered why some people have a particular attitude, way of thinking, or a different way of responding to something that many accept as truth?  Where you see trouble, they see opportunity.  Where you see sadness, they see excitement. Their ability for gaining perspective in any situation stops you in your tracks and forces you to take note.  It contains dimensions of wisdom you have yet to consider.  Life frequently gives us a masterclass in thought development, providing we are open to receiving the lesson.  Where does the ability to see things differently come from?  Many times, the difference is grounded in choice, the choice of gaining perspective.

When you meet people who are famous and accomplished, it is easy to be in awe of them and to be receptive to their insights and perspectives. Quite naturally, you are attuned to what they say and their perspective is instantly credible to you as you listen.  Giving credence to someone of stature is a natural reaction for most people and, in turn, the opportunity to hear someone of stature often creates value for the listener/observer.

Even though there is much wisdom to be gained from these rare meetings, don’t discount or ignore the daily lessons of wisdom and perspective sitting around all of us.  In fact, being observant and tuning into the people you come into contact with, allows you to find a wealth of wisdom while gaining perspective in life’s interactions. 

For me, one of these moments of extreme value just occurred. As always, it was completely unexpected.

The Person

 I had a meeting scheduled with Johnny T. in Atlanta.  Now, prior to this meeting, Johnny and I had spoken once.  It was a brief introductory phone conversation where we exchanged pleasantries and set our meeting time.  This conversation was no different than any other introductory phone call, it was polite and routine.

When I arrived for my meeting, I was greeted at the door by Johnny.  He was upbeat, cheerful, gracious and he was also wheelchair-bound. For a split second it caught me a little off guard, however, as soon as I spent a few minutes with Johnny, I became completely unaware of his wheelchair.  In fact, what quickly took over was admiration for his mindset, attitude, and perspective on life. 

The Conversation

First of all, we had a great conversation discussing business, life, and how important it is to live a life of gratitude.  I’m sure I was not expecting a declaration of gratitude to be a philosophical cornerstone for how Johnny lives his life, but it is.  

Looking back, reflecting on our conversation and being completely candid, I guess I expected to hear or detect some resentment for his disability.  Instead, I received just the opposite.  

In addition, he conveyed thoughts that were deep and philosophical; you could tell he had spent a lot of time thinking and reflecting on his life and about life in general.

Our conversation and the candor with which it took place, opened the door for me to ask (and I apologized in advance if I was stepping over the line) what led to his wheelchair.  His answer was powerful and immediately impactful.  In fact, his answer caused me to instantly reflect on my daily attitude of gratitude.  

The Problem

You see, during his early teen years, Johnny and his mom were living in a tough area of St. Louis.  His mom was engaged as a parent, closely watching her sons actions and decisions.  As a result, she became very concerned for the safety of her child.  

So, at age 15, Johnny’s mom made the bold decision to move her family to Charlotte, NC, hoping to escape the troubles of St. Louis.  On the surface, it made a lot of sense.  His mother could see that her son was getting caught up in the wrong environment and making bad decisions daily.  In short, it was the accumulation of these daily bad decisions that prompted her to make the move and leave St. Louis behind.

Johnny’s new city of residence offered him a clean slate. Regretfully, he didn’t take advantage of the gift his mother was so desperately trying to give him.   In fact, Johnny quickly fell into the same traps and habits of his troubled St. Louis past.  Unfortunately, his home had changed, but his decisions had not.  Moreover, they may have actually worsened and as a result, trouble soon followed.

The Event

At age 17, Johnny put himself in a bad situation which resulted in gunfire.  Unfortunately, one of the bullets hit him in the back.  The bullet hit his spine and resulted in instant paralysis from the waist down.  Now, it doesn’t take great insight to see where most people would harbor anger and resentment from this accident.  Most people may, but not Johnny.  He was, and is, different. He has chosen a different perspective regarding his paralysis.  

His perspective blew me away! 

The Perspective                                                        

Johnny said, “This wheelchair is the greatest blessing I have had in my life.  If not for this wheelchair, I would have continued to make bad decisions and no doubt would have ended up dead, or at best, in prison.  This wheelchair is what caused me to gain perspective and control in and of my life.  It served as the catalyst for me making better decisions. One thing is for sure, without this wheelchair, I would not have my wife or my five kids.  My life is so blessed.”

When I heard him say this with such conviction about his disability, I was amazed at his perspective.  Seeing value in what many would see as a tragedy is a choice, his choice, and it has been truly empowering for him. His decision to choose how he thinks has led to a successful marriage, great kids, and a strong business. 

Most of us have much simpler obstacles to deal with each day. Despite this, we don’t always choose such a constructive way to think.  Imagine how our outcomes could be impacted and changed simply by choosing to think in a different, constructive, and positive way. Gaining perspective is liberating.  

In conclusion, this one single meeting and conversation has infiltrated my thoughts daily and prompted me to choose to intentionally think differently.  I hope you receive some impact from Johnny’s perspective as well.