What’s Blocking Your View?

I love Pizza!  And I especially love that “taste of Italy” that you can only achieve with a brick oven!  My dream of having my own pizza oven is finally coming to realization…we are building one on our side patio off our kitchen.   But, as with a lot of projects I do with my husband, a simple (find it on Youtube) “do it yourself” project has turned into a debacle. Why?  Because he thinks bigger is better.

 
We are 75% through our project and although it started off as a modest patio configuration, it is currently a beast of a structure including a colossal roof.  A critical detail that wasn’t considered is in regard to the one window in our kitchen…the pizza oven “structure” blocks one-half (yes, 50%) of our view…trees, grass, flowers, bushes, kids, and the ability to easily see who is pulling in our driveway.  I’m a view person….and there is no one window in our home that I look through more than this significant frame of my yard.  I’m sick and I’m sad to report that it has been the center of a lot of disturbance in our home. In my husband’s defense, he did show my drawings of his ideas…but I’m a visual person, 3-D and color is critical.  It didn’t really sink in until the full size was erected this past week.

 
Today, I am committed to focusing on what is wonderful about our project and I have to quit focusing on what I don’t like.  Isn’t this true on every aspect of work and life?  It’s a momentous yet timeless lesson that will separate those that thrive and achieve (and have the best “view”) and those that fail and lose. Check out some of these familiar quotes and sayings to help keep your perspective:

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. –unknown

Optimist Sees the Rose

Is the glass half empty or half full?  –unknown

Turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones.  –unknown

Challenges Make Life Interesting

Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.  –Roger Crawford.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.  –Helen Keller

Our Survival Quote

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials. –Chinese proverb

It’s easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top.  –Henry Ward Beecher

What are some of your favorite motivational quotes and phrases that help you get through the ups and downs of business and life? Comment below. If this blog was helpful and inspiring to you #ShareTheLove and share this post with someone that could use some encouragement today.

4 Comments

  1. Shay Ryan on July 24, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    Just think of all the great memories of family and friends you will have making pizza. The “view” of that alone will be worth it.

  2. Stephen B. Friedheim on July 26, 2014 at 5:51 pm

    Here’s my favorite:

    When people do not act effectively, events have a way of making decisions for them.

    Steve

  3. Katie Barnett on August 6, 2014 at 10:31 am

    Similar to the quotes you have included, here is one of my favorites:

    “If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”
    – Frances Hodgson Burnett

    In your case, you will have to look to the right (or left) of your pizza structure, ha! The right perspective is critical, great post!

  4. Mary Beth Archer on October 14, 2014 at 10:50 am

    Maybe God is trying to tell you that you need to spend more time outdoors…in nature…because truly there is an amazing panaramic view from there.

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