Entry for 6th April, 2008

It is of course trite to say it, but the way you view things depends upon your perspective. I try to remember this at work. Being a lawyer means that you are always advancing the interest of your client. This means that you can sometimes forget that there at least two sides to every story. When you overlook this, you can spend most of your day yelling about unreasonable clients and their buffoon solicitors. In fact the reality is that only about 50% of clients are unreasonable, and only 95% of opposing solicitors are buffoons.
I was reminded of perspective this morning. I drive a rather battered old Merc, and it has the traditional old bonnet ornament on it. I always gett irritated when this isn't set up straight. Over the past few days, I have got into the car, driven a hundred yards or so, and noticed that the ornament is skewed off at an angle. This has resulted in me turning puce, and muttering about "bloody vandals" and "the youth of today". It has not made for a relaxing start to the day.
However, I have discovered that the culprit is not the vapid and reckless teenagers who live in my estate, but is actually my two year old daughter. I found her happily wiggling the ornament today, whilst happily gurgling the words "Daddy's car" to herself. She smiled and waved at me when I noticed her.
Now, instead of seeing the tilted chrome ornament and getting hot under the collar, I smile to myself and think of my wee girl.
Of course, it is likely that she will turn out to be a vandal, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.