Good times.

"Clap your hands, stomp your feet, good times, good times!"

This was the song and dance a sweet little 8 year old boy was doing when he walked in the door to get speech therapy today. His mom had to quiet him several times as his voice and movements escalated in the waiting room. "Clap your hands, stomp your feet, good times, good times!"

He is not my patient, so I don't know much about his condition or what he is being seen for. But I do know that I witnessed a child full of joy in the waiting room today. A child with a "disability." And it made me think. Maybe "disability" isn't the word we should use. If my attitude in life was to walk around clapping my hands, stopping my feet, grinning from ear to ear and singing, I certainly wouldn't call it a disability.

Don't get me wrong. I am sure he has and will continue to face his share of challenges in this life. Probably more than I could ever imagine. But if there is one thing I have discovered, it's all about your perspective. And if he can get up, facing his day, singing "Clap your hands, stomp your feet, good times, good times!" in spite of his "disability," I'd like to have a little more of his perspective on life.

So keep clapping, and keep stomping, and keep grinning, and keep singing, sweet boy, and keep teaching me lessons best taught by an 8 year old that this world so easily labels.