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A positive attitude is contagious

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Joseph Wolfer
  • 6th Airlift Squadron
MCGUIRE AFB, N.J. --  As commander of the 6th Airlift Squadron, I try to stay ahead of the game when it comes to my workload and schedule. I usually do this by sitting down with my executive staff at the beginning of each week and reviewing my schedule and upcoming taskers. 

As we checked the long list of upcoming items I had to accomplish by the end of the week, I noticed that it was my turn to write an article for the Airtides newspaper. I also noticed the stack of promotion recommendation forms that are due by the end of the month for the captains in my squadron who meet their major's board later this year. I was also feeling lethargic from the lack of running I did the past weekend. Looking ahead to next month, I thought about how time was running out to buy my wife's present for our anniversary. Finally, I thought about how I was going to juggle the squadron's manning to meet the ongoing MOBEX, our three upcoming 120-day CAOC deployments and preparing the entire squadron for our unit deployment to the CENTCOM AOR later this year. Meanwhile, I still have to provide worldwide combat airlift to America and her allies as the Bully Beef Express has since 1939. Yet as you see me walking around the base, you may ask yourself, "Why is he smiling?" 

You will see me smiling because I choose to maintain a positive attitude. We all have a personal choice to make when it comes to facing life's challenges. We can choose to either maintain a positive attitude or we can choose to grumble about how hard our supervisors, our Air Force, our families and our country are working us at any given time. At times like these, when the chips are down and we feel the weight of the world on our shoulders, I remind myself to focus on the positive. This in turn lifts my spirits and puts everything in a proper context. As Martha Washington once said, "I am determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions and not upon our circumstances." 

After I finished my own personal pity party there in my office, I realized just how lucky I am. As a commander of a C-17 flying squadron, I am currently in the job I have always wanted. I am leading an outstanding group of hard-working and creative people who do whatever it takes to get the mission accomplished. Yes, the past winter has prevented me from running as much as I would normally, but the weather will eventually improve and I will be able to start running outside more regularly. No doubt, I have to get the creative juices flowing in order to get my wife a good anniversary gift, but I have been blessed to be celebrating the 20th year of marriage to the love of my life. Sure, my unit has been hit with unexpected 120-day deployments, but this provides someone else the opportunity to step up and prove what he or she is capable of accomplishing. 

Although it may take an effort at times, having a positive attitude is contagious. Positive, upbeat people are more enjoyable to work with and they inspire others around them. We all owe it to our supervisors and subordinates, our work mates, our families and ourselves to make the conscious decision to be happy. So, next time the chips are down, make the choice to be positive. I hope to see your smiling face the next time I see you around McGuire.