One Small Word Makes All The Difference

One Small Word Makes All The Difference
By Marilyn Mackenzie





"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit." - Helen Keller


You're zipping down the road, when up ahead you notice a traffic signal.

Traffic signal? Is that what you'd call it? Probably not. If you're like most people, you would probably refer to the traffic signal as a "stop light." Why is that? Why be so negative?

There are three lights on a traffic signal, directing us to proceed, to slow down and be cautious because the light is about to change, or to stop. And yet we choose to focus on the negative. Do we approach life the same way?

When my son was young and in his car seat, I used to talk with him as we drove down the highway. When the light turned red, we'd make up songs together. A red light, to him, became a "singing light." To him, traffic signals were not negative experiences at all. When the light was green, we were making progress in driving to our destination. When the light was red, we sang.

Only one of the lights on a traffic signal commands us to stop. Couldn't we just as easily call it a traffic signal? Or a caution light? Or better still, why not call it a "go light"! Sometimes, one small word makes all the difference in the world in how we view traffic and our lives.