[QUOTE=ralper,Dec 26 2005, 06:15 PM]I think two things in my life had a very profound effect on me and changed the way I think.

I started working at a very young age, and at a very young age I decided that all I every wanted to do was to be a clothing manufacturer.

 

My father once told me that people don't make you angry. You make yourself angry because your expectations are not met. If you don't like or want to be angry you only have to change your expectations. Probably a simplificaton of what Bob has said.

 

One smart papa.

Here's another variation on the theme: "If you don't like what's going on around you, change your mind."

 

I'm going to try this one on Kathy and see what happens.....

Oh, you mean I'm not supposed to make this type of suggestion to my s/o

Seriously, I have become much better at 'thinking outside the box'....rather than in a linear fashion. I'm amazed at how many folks have absolutely no ability to think of a problem or challenge in an unusual non-traditional way

 

Changing thought patterns--how about the only thing that's constant is change?

I was thinking about ironies this Christmas:

--watching the one year memorial of the tsunami, snug in my home and with family all around.

--noticing that my nephew's present of a "Harry Potter magic wand" cost more than my father's present--a computer motherboard.

--watching a leather-clad Harley rider park in front of a hamburger shop, and then walk into the nail salon next door...