Yesterday was a beautiful day. We decided to walk around the University of Minnesota campus, assuming that since it was Veterans Day, we’d have most of the place to ourselves. You know what happens when you assume! Classes were in session, and the campus was buzzing with students. It’s a beautiful campus, although a little too big for my liking. The grass was still green, the leaves were falling, and the squirrels were preparing for winter. We even spotted an albino squirrel.
The university hadn’t forgotten Veterans Day. A poster noted that nearly 600 veterans attend the school, and the lawn outside the student union was filled with American flags. They honored the day while carrying on with business as usual. I suspect yesterday may have been the last real autumn day I’ll enjoy this year. And to top it off, the day ended with a spectacular sunset. The golden light reflecting off the buildings was a reminder that sometimes all you need to do is stop and look around. I’m grateful we took the time to enjoy the day.
Today’s challenge is about the words we use. Sometimes changing just a few words can change an entire conversation. We routinely ask people, “How are you?” and often don’t stick around long enough to hear the answer. Today, try asking, “What’s good today?” instead. See where the conversation goes. At work, try asking what’s good about your boss, your coworkers, your organization, or a project you’re working on. We spend plenty of time finding things to complain about. Today, look for what’s working. And when someone asks how you’re doing, try answering with one word: “Grateful!” You might surprise them. You might even surprise yourself.
Tonight, take a few minutes to journal about your conversations. Did changing a few words change the tone? Were you able to help someone focus on something positive? Sometimes a different perspective begins with a different question.
