My Dad died nine years ago, surviving numerous strokes and a few heart attacks, he managed to live to eighty years old. He came of age during The Great Depression and WWII. I believe there is a generational attitude shared by the vets of WWII. I saw it in my father and many of his compatriots. And that attitude goes something like this: I’m going to work hard to afford things my parent’s could never dream of. I will consume as much good food and cold beer as often as I like, and smoke cigarettes like there’s no tomorrow. Don’t even bother talking about exercise, I did that in boot camp. My children will listen to me or there will be hell to pay.

So what is it this fun-loving, hard-working man passed onto me? Perspective.

My Dad was an optimist; he rarely worried and always found something in the drama of the day to laugh about. Most of life’s events and situations were sorted into two categories: whatnot or bullshit. Whatnot consisted mostly of other people’s issues, and therefore not worth his attention. Bullshit was reserved for deceit and politics, (frequently the same thing), and only served to piss him off and therefore really not worthy of his attention. Situations that captured his attention involved love. Love got his attention. Love deserved his tears and time. The rest was just whatnot or bullshit.

Perspective. What we pay attention to shapes our lives.