In search of wonderful Published Sept. 20, 2010 By Col. Russell Wilson 721st Mission Support Group commander CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. -- Back in early May on the way home from work, I stopped at a store to pick up a few items, one of which was a Mother's Day card. As I sorted through the colossal selection ranging from funny to raunchy to a little sappy and even a few that I had no idea where they were headed, another gentleman joined me. After a while, he was holding a card that was telling the potential recipient what a wonderful person she was. He looked over at me and commented that he had never really met a truly wonderful person (just for the record he wasn't particularly young, he was at least my age). Honestly, I was a little taken back. I cannot count the wonderful people I've been blessed to have come in and out of my life over the years. My immediate thought was of my own mother and mother-in-law, both of whom passed away years ago. Easily, each of them fits into my wonderful person column. Then, of course, there is my wife. Just considering she has taken on the life-long charitable cause of putting up with me -- well, there is another check. And then, there are my kids; on that particular day I hadn't seen them as they were all angelically sleeping as I headed out to the gym early in the morning, so technically I could check them off as wonderful, at least until I got home anyways. So, I figured there had to be more to his comment than I was picking up on. I told the gentleman I've met a lot of wonderful people over the years. We talked a bit more, and he admitted he was speaking strictly from a technical definition sense. We talked more, me standing there in uniform, and I asked what he did for a living. To my surprise, he told me he was a minister at a fairly large local church. At that point I decided he had made a choice not to categorize anyone as wonderful. I'm sure you've heard many times, life is about choices and the consequences of your choices. You decide to drive after drinking too much; you can be setting yourself up, and unfortunately others up, for a whole host of bad consequences. I've heard a radio personality speak about choosing to be happy. We all know someone that reminds us of Eeyore, the gloomy donkey from Winnie-the-Pooh books. They are always dwelling on the downside of life's issues. They could win a lottery, but they'd complain about higher taxes. They might earn a promotion, but complain about not scoring an assigned parking place. According to Mr. Radio-Personality, we all face adversities in life, but it is our choice whether or not to be happy. I submit similarly that it is up to you to make a choice on whether an individual is a wonderful person or not. Please note, I did not say a perfectly wonderful person, but rather you set your parameters and make a conscious decision. One note of caution, I'd be careful about setting your parameters and making your decision. As I mentioned, I feel I've been particularly blessed by the many wonderful people in my life and in reflection, it would be sad not to realize or consider they truly are wonderful people. Your choice though. Remember, I mention the minister was speaking from a "technical definition sense", I looked up wonderful in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. They offered up two definitions; 1) exciting wonder: marvelous, astonishing -- a sight wonderful to behold; 2) unusually good: admirable -- did a wonderful job. Nothing there to change my thinking thus far, so I hit the Internet looking for what I could find if I searched for "wonderful person." (By the way, it is amazing and scary what you come across on the web, think with your cyber-cab on.) In short order, I found someone that explained a wonderful person is "someone who puts everyone before themselves and thinks of others first and has everyone's best interest in mind. Not selfish and extraordinary, talented, and sincere." If I can work out the grammar, that certainly is a pretty tall order if taken literally. I prefer to sort of scrunch it down and think "Service Before Self." While many of the wonderful people in my life are not affiliated with the military, I'd say most are. As a result of living on or near Air Force bases my entire life, I've always been around great people, be they active, reserve, civil servants, contractor, or retired. It really is a pleasure coming to work knowing I've got great folks to work with, each with their own talents, experiences, and stories. It is my choice to call them what I think they are; wonderful. I also believe each of you has wonderful people nearby; it just takes a little effort to identify them. Take time to notice, take time to listen, but most importantly, take time to enjoy the wonderful people in your life.