From My Perspective

Hi, and welcome to the first edition of a new column I've been working on called "From my Perspective." I mean let's face it, everyone has an opinion, so why not share it, but I'm pretty sure my perspective is generally different than most. See, I have this knack of seeing the good in almost every situation, and if I don't see it, I try to find it. Some people call that being optimistic. Others call it having my head in the clouds, and yet, even others have a nickname for me. Yup, you guessed it, I've been called "Pollyanna" on far more than on occasion. A lot of people appreciate the good I see in things. Then, there are those who are extremely annoyed that I'm continuously pretty upbeat. However you decide to rate my attitude, hopefully, I can help you see some of the good that's right here around us.

In the Disney favorite called Pollyanna, the character is always playing "the glad game," finding things to be happy about in negative situations. While I don't call my version the glad game, I call mine "looking for the good." I believe that if you look and expect good things, they find you, or, you find them, however you'd like to look at it. In one such recent event traveling with my mom, we were waiting, in what seemed like a very long line, for a bus to take us to a shopping location from our cruise ship. I was talking to people behind me in the line (another thing to note, I'm making friends everywhere I go, generally because I turn around and talk to people in most of the lines I wait in). Anyhow, here I am talking to people, one from California, and a couple from Australia. Next thing I know my mom is asking "Ok, Tammy, what is the good about waiting in this line." My response was a quick one. "Look at the cool people you get to meet and find out about while waiting." She smiled. The next thing I knew, the man from California had secured a cab for me, my folks, the folks from Australia and himself and we were on our way to our destination. If we hadn't been in line and met those folks, we would have been in line for a lot longer waiting for the bus. See, it's the good that happens when you expect good things to happen.

In addition to seeing the good in situations, I like to recognize it when I see it – and highlight it. So, for this first column, I think it's important to recognize the good that's going on right here in Lincoln, because contrary to popular belief, there's a lot of it going on. I'm seeing people, businesses, and organizations pulling together like I've never quite seen before.

Take, for instance, the weekend of Dec. 7. Lincoln had Christmas kick-off events galore! There was something in town for everyone, and all of the organizers of the events cross-promoted and referred people to the next venue. There were seven businesses and organization working together to bring people to town and provide fun things to do for people of all ages. That's called a win in my book.

Then, there are all of the town businesses that worked together with Aaron Birkholz to create a town that's lit up and festive for the holidays, complete with Christmas lights and music. He made the suggestion, provided his knowledge, and helped people. This year, I'd say Main Street looked pretty lit up and ready for the holidays, and I can see how next year could even be better with more businesses hopping on that holiday train!

Lincoln also has a history of helping those in our town in need, and during the holidays, it just seems more amplified. Lincoln School, Citizens Alliance Bank, several community churches, the Lincoln Senior Center, and the Powerhouse Gym have all been resources this holiday season, just to name a few. I'm sure there are more, and if I didn't mention your place or organization by name, don't be too offended, it wasn't intentional, and I may just have to learn about the good you do too as this column moves forward.

Now, as we get ready to enter into a brand new year, I invite you to look for the good wherever you may be. Whether it's right here in Lincoln, on a regular trip to town for supplies, or traveling about. Be the person who starts a conversation and meets someone new. Be the person who sees the good in people, in situations, and in life in general. I'm not saying there's not bad out there, because I know there is, just try, even for a week to see the opposite of the bad, and see what happens. What do you have to lose?