PERSPECTIVE

“The only thing you sometimes have control over is perspective. You don't have control over your situation. But you have a choice about how you view it.” — Chris Pine

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Tommy didn’t realize the implication of the decision until he got off the bus the next morning. If he had, he certainly would not have left it to a coin toss. 

The bus itself was part of the problem. It wasn’t equipped to handle the harsh midwestern weather. It was so cold at one point that they had to abandon their drummer at a hospital in Wisconsin to treat him for frostbite.

The show must go on, though, so the rest of the band found a way to continue the tour without Carl.

But with a nearly 400-mile journey to the next gig, Buddy decided to charter a plane so he wouldn’t have to endure another freezing night on the bus and could finally get some rest.

Being a small plane, there were only a few seats available, and Buddy, Jiles, and Tommy were lucky enough to score them—but Ritchie wanted off the bus and hounded Tommy until he finally agreed to a coin toss. 

When the brand new 1959 half dollar was in the air, Tommy called tails.

“Heads up!”

His fate was sealed. It would be another night of suffering on the freezing bus for Tommy.

The Show Must Go On
I share this story as a reminder that sometimes the worst thing that happens to you just may be the best thing for you, so long as you don't let it get the best of you. Or as the comedian Steven Wright puts it: “Sometimes when you lose you really win; like when playing musical electric chairs.”

When the bus arrived in Moorhead, MN the next morning, Buddy, Ritchie, and Jiles were nowhere to be found.

The plane never arrived.

That was the day the music died.

And Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Jiles Perry Richardson Jr. (aka “The Big Bopper”) never got to finish the Winter Dance Party tour. 

The show must go on, though (or so the promoters insisted) so the rest of the band found a way to continue the tour without them.

Perspective
The worst things that happen to you just may be the best thing for you. After all, Tommy may have lost the coin toss (resulting in an insufferable 400-mile bus ride in subzero weather through the midwest) but this same experience also saved his life.

This is not always easy to remember (especially while inconvenienced by life’s many dangers, toils, and snares) but when we are able to maintain this open perspective, it can make the journey of life far more uplifting and endurable. 

Reflection
How will you remind yourself to keep an open perspective?

WANT MORE?
Experience abiding joy by mindfully transitioning through change. Questions or comments? Email us at jonas@hashtagpositivity.com to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles.

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