I am writing this blog while I am sitting at a small table in a studio condo on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. Josh had to come to Honolulu for business, and I gratefully tagged along. We have had a crazy start to 2026, which you can read about on my Life Blog, https://composingwebb.com/life-notes/crazy-start-to-2026/
I know you may be thinking, Well, how nice—you’re in Hawaii. However, we happened to arrive during a freak winter storm. No, it is not cold by any means, but there are high winds and rain. Hopefully, we will see some full sunny days before we leave.
The place we are staying is adequate for two people, with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean framed by high-rise buildings. The hardest part is that, because of the weather, most of the state parks are closed and the elevators in our building are not working. So, I am getting quite the workout on this vacation, trekking up to the 15th floor by stairs. Still, I am grateful to be here, whether the weather improves or the elevators ever work, because I am blessed to have finally been able to tag along with my husband.
This perspective has helped my attitude stay on the positive side, and it made me realize how much perspective can either enhance or destroy our attitudes. What has fascinated me is that because the elevators do not work, I have met so many people. Stairways are great conversation starters. It has also been interesting to see how others are handling the situation. Some of the people I have met live on floors 34–40! And yet, they say hello, smile, and ask, “So what floor are you on?”
A healthy perspective helps us accept what we cannot change. There is nothing we can do about the elevators, and dwelling on sore legs, or how badly we need to get in shape, does not improve the situation. Accepting what is out of our control and choosing to focus on the positives creates a far better attitude.
My current situation is not especially serious, so keeping a positive perspective is easier. But I have seen others, and myself, get bent out of shape over small disappointments because we focus only on what is not going as we hoped. That mindset can quickly spiral into an attitude that ruins the entire day.
The truth is that God, through His Word, calls us to cultivate a positive attitude by intentionally focusing on what is good.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. – James 1:2-4
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. – Romans 5:3-5
And one of my favorites:
For even though the fig tree doesn’t flourish, nor fruit be in the vines, the labor of the olive fails, the fields yield no food, the flocks are cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in Yahweh. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! Yahweh, the Lord, is my strength. He makes my feet like deer’s feet, and enables me to go in high places. – Habakuk 3:17-19
I want to strive to keep my perspective as these and many other scriptures teach. I know that one day all the negatives of this world will cease. If I focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy—on the things that bring me joy—and meditate on them, my attitude and well-being will align more closely with what our Father desires for me.