Do you ever find yourself blowing things out of perspective?  Do you take many of the good things in your life for granted?  Do small annoyances upset you?  If your answer is yes, you are not alone.  It's a common occurrence to become so used to a comfortable lifestyle, filled with abundance and freedom, that you fail to fully appreciate just how good a life you have.

Recently, I heard a Vietnam veteran who had been a prisoner of war being interviewed.  When asked how he handled life's challenges, he had a simple yet insightful reply, "Every day you have a door with a doorknob on the inside is a great day." This seemingly simple statement has deep, far reaching significance.

The overwhelming majority of people who have never been a POW can’t begin to comprehend the ordeal of being in captivity.  Thankfully, few people have experienced the horror of being locked in a cement cell for years, subjected to torture and devoid of basic human necessities. 

It’s easy to take liberty for granted when there is no understanding of what it’s like to suffer without it.  Ironically, it is the freedom afforded us that provides the luxury of being able to become irritated over insignificant issues.

We can all be inspired by the insight contained in the POW’s observation.  When there is a doorknob on the inside of each door, it is a reminder that you have the freedom to live as you choose.  You can do what you want, when you want.  If you don’t like some aspect of your life, you have the power to change it.

You have a place to live and enough food to eat.  If you don’t, there are people, organizations, and agencies who will assist you.  You are free to come and go as you please and live anywhere you want.  So what do have to be upset about?

When you have a high baseline of comfort, with relatively few hardships, it is easy to lose your perspective.  As a result, small, inconsequential issues garner more attention than warranted.  For example, spilling your coffee ruins your day.  Being stuck on a slow moving checkout line causes anger.  You become irate when another car cuts you off.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could remain calm in the face of daily nuisances?  Would you like to prevent insignificant issues from getting under your skin?  You can do so by remembering how good your life is whenever a feeling of agitation begins to creep in.

For the most part, your worst day is better than the best day for people in strife filled countries throughout the world.  If you have any doubts, watch the nightly news.  Their concerns are literally matters of survival.  There are billions of people who would happily exchange their problems for yours.

By maintaining an appreciation for all your blessings, daily problems shrink in significance or vanish altogether.  That’s why those who have survived horrendous challenges tend to let most problems roll off their backs.  They don’t waste time with trivialities because life is too precious.

When you feel stressed out, annoyed by some issue, or upset over a particular set of circumstances, take a look at the doorknob on the inside of your door.  Think of all the freedom it represents.  Appreciate all of the good things in your life.  Put things in their proper perspective and smile. Whenever you open a door, give thanks for the doorknob.

NOW AVAILABLE:  "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book.  Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or write him c/o this paper.  2009 Bryan Golden

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