When I was a youth of 20 or so I took girlfriend of mine named Noel to Myrtle Beach South Carolina for a week's trip.  She had a girlfriend along too and a friend of mine arrived on day 3 to hang out with Noel's girlfriend... But I digress.

It was on this trip I learned that the way I saw the world was different.  It was good, it was rosy.  My families’ friends owned the motel we were staying at and we often sat in the office behind the front desk to chat up how our day went or just talk about life.  Their son was and is my age and we got along great together.  One night we roamed in and I was wearing a pair of very funky glasses.  They were perfectly round and had many shades of red.   I even remembered where I bought them... Zipperhead on South Street in South Philly.   Noel and I are sitting and talking to the owner, Bobbie.  She says to me, "Lars, you are looking at the world through them rose colored glasses." In her distinct southern draw.   At first I say, "Yeah... they are fine aren’t then?"  She answers... "No, I mean you."  I stopped and smiled, "Thanks."

I've always remembered those rose colored glasses.  Sometimes I think I should buy another pair.   If only to capture that youthful exuberance and give my self a reason to smile.  Now I'm not saying my life is bad etc...  I have my hardships like anyone else.   But the fact is life is what you make it.  And more than that, life is how you live it.   You can lay down and take your crappy hand and whine about it, or you can watch how the other players play their hands and learn from the experience.

But no matter what, you don't have to change your perspective.  If you have a rotten perspective, then change it.  If you are living with nothing... make the best of it.  But the only person that can change you is you.  And you can be anything you desire.  At any time.

I recall when in high school I was dressing one way early on.  I wore my hair a certain way.  I studied the world around me like any growing teenager would. I saw a movie. I saw a magazine photo, I saw other kids in my school.  I looked at how I dressed and wore my hair and thought... "Why do I have to go to school tomorrow dressed like this? I can be anything I want."  I bought the shirt and pants outside my style and went for a different look.   And weeks later I tried on yet another.   The next year I changed again, but no one ever thought less of me. In fact I recall getting compliments.  Not a lot, but there were times I received them and it was all the affirmation I needed to know that I really could be what I wanted and the world didn't care other than to notice the change.   People don't stop you from being you; you do. 

So be happy.  Look at the world through rose colored glasses and be happy.