A win-win attitude is always best

As the sun peered through my blinds, I welcomed the new day. Still sitting on the foot of my bed, I gingerly tried to dust off the cobwebs from a great night’s sleep. As I sat there, I could hear movement from my youngest daughter’s bedroom. Within moments I fully understood that this solemn moment of quiet reflection would be overshadowed by the pure action-filled ambiance only two young children can provide. Still, I reveled in the moment.

Shortly, my attention was drawn to my left. As I turned, I saw my youngest child standing with her arms spread wide apart, in an apparent attempt to stretch out. Saying good morning, I was unable to remind her to get ready for church because before I could say the words she inquired as to if I liked the outfit she was wearing. Little did I know that her evening had been filled with planning the next days outfit to ensure she looked presentable for church Sunday morning. As I turned further, I noticed that she was wearing one of her elder sisters’ older, hand-me-down outfits.

I expressed my pleasure at her choice of clothing and added the fact that the outfit looked like it was comfortable as well as very pretty. With a big smile, she agreed that the outfit was in fact “very comfortable.” As she continued speaking about the clothing, I noticed that her smile became enlarged with seemingly each sway from side to side. As she looked up towards me her words caused me to reciprocate her smile.

“Thank you, daddy” she said, “it’s really a win-win for me, both pretty and comfy, it doesn’t get much better than that.”

What’s a man to do other than agree with those words of wisdom? To the child, although old, the clothing was new to her and bore significance because her older sister gave it to her. This same person she fought with, pranked, cried with, and became angry with had given her a prized outfit and now she, too, could be fashionable, just like her sister. As I watched this simple event play out, I was reminded about how our outlook is many times dependent upon our perceptions of worth. To many, the old outfit was simply one of many articles hanging in a closet, but to some it is the perfect item. Things many feel are used up or worthless become treasures to others.

Like Riy’s outfit last Sunday, finding worth in things others may feel are worn out can create within us a win-win situation where we can truly benefit from providing new life to someone’s hand-me-downs. Regardless of whether the item is a piece of clothing, tool, toy, person, or wisdom from the past. Worth remains within the eyes of the beholder, creating a win-win deep within our heart, if we simply open our eyes and envision the possibilities of rebirth.

Richard J. Stephens lives in Carter County and is the father of three little ladies ranging in age from 9 to 29.