So it’s time for school again. Personally I (my wife and I) have four kids ages 23, 22, 18, and 17. That’s 3 in college (my oldest just went back to school after getting a degree from Boston College) and a senior in high school. My 18 year old son James just started college. I was actually pleasantly surprised that he wanted me to go with him and help him move in.

So we headed to Gainesville last week, chasing tropical storm Fay up the coast of Florida. We hit campus right around 4 PM. It was very overcast and somewhat windy, but wasn’t raining. I waited in the car as the “move in instructions” had asked (so as not to risk being towed) while he went into his dorm to get registered and pick up his key. I sat out in the car watching all these young kids unpack their stuff and carry their packages into this old rundown looking building. About ten minutes later my son emerged, key in hand, and ready to start unloading the car. Since I was still in the make shift “unloading tow zone” I carried the boxes to the front door and he carried them the rest of the way to his room. Once I dropped off the last box I parked the car so I could head to his room and give him a hand unpacking.

To get to his room I had to walk down this long, narrow, half lit hallway with an old cracked linoleum tile floor, past a mold smelling bathroom/shower room to be shared by the guys that have rooms on this floor, to his room that was….. - let’s just say I was glad I had booked a hotel for the night and would not be staying here! I turned to him and said “James, this is a dump!” (actually I used stronger language) And he quickly responded “yes dad, but it’s my dump!” He had a smile on his face like I had never seen before. This kid was so happy and excited it was hard for him to contain himself. It was his first place to live in away from home and he was in heaven. I thought back to when I was his age and just starting school, and remembered how good it felt. I was like him in that I couldn’t care less about the old dorm room I had. Needless to say I kept my mouth shut and took instructions from him for the rest of the night to help him get the room just the way he wanted it.

The next morning it was time to say goodbye and head back home. His friends were starting to show up and it was now obvious that I was just in the way. I got in the car and began the drive and I started to laugh thinking about walking into his room and the difference between what I saw and what he saw. We were both looking at exactly the same thing and yet I saw a dump and he saw a castle. I knew he was ready for this experience and was absolutely prepared to make the best of it. Because the truth is, we decide how we will see things and how we want to go through life. We can choose to see the dump or the castle.

I know in challenging times like these it is easy to see the down side. Don’t forget that your attitude will be seen, and will have an affect on those around you, not only in the work place, but more importantly, at home. You choose to be positive or negative. I’m with him! I’m glad I went with him. That day he reminded me of what I have tried to teach him for years. Thanks James.

Paul Fazio is the CEO of SONNY’S The Car Wash Factory. His career represents 28 years of conveyorized operating expertise. Prior to taking the helm at SONNY’S, Paul was an owner / operator of (2) self-serve, (1) exterior, and (11) full-serve wash locations, in addition to (6) gas stations with convenience stores as well as several detail shops and lube centers. He can be reached at 800-327-8723 or via email at PFazio@SonnysDirect.com

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