Page 70 - Waves March 2019

R R R R R R
eflections
eflections
eflections
eflections
eflections
eflections

Attitudes and

Choices

by: John Valastro

slanders by nature are a different breed. People describe the As for the fog, one might ask where is the beauty in that? Ah,
island life as different, laid back or not a care in the world. intrigue and mystery have its own kind of beauty. Have you taken
Why is that? I believe it’s about our attitude and our choices. time to walk out and look into the gulf during a foggy morning or
As defined, “attitude is a settled way of thinking or feeling afternoon? Have you ever watched the sea fog roll in from the gulf
Iabout something; mental state reflected in a person’s behav- in a matter of minutes? Looking out you can’t see anything, but you
ior”. Islanders have an attitude that directly affects the choices they can hear the waves, smell the gulf breeze and feel the wetness. The
make and how we see the world beyond the Causeway or across the anticipation of better days ahead means that another spring is com-
ferry. ing and once again we will have our beautiful sunrises and sunsets
all over again. To me, it’s kind of like preparing for what God has
in store for us. We can’t see Him, but if we open our minds, we can
hear Him calling, if we allow Him in our hearts, we can feel the Holy
Spirit dwelling inside us. Come Easter time your attitude will allow
you to see and feel His presence because it’s all around us.

My attitude has changed since my wife and I have retired to the
What do you see and how do you feel on these particular days? island. Yes, BOI’s and IBC’s are a different breed and we take pride
in it. Our attitude is much different now that we have accepted the
island life: we feel different, we think different and react differently
to what life has to offer us. It’s the island way and we invite anyone
who is willing to accept this way of life to join us “islanders”. Let
go of the attitude that negatively influenced your choices in the past
(stresses of work, raising children, saving for retirement, handling
health issues and the world of political discourse) and try to see the
Some will see the beauty in our amazing sunrises or sunsets. The beauty in every day on the island; be it sunny, stormy or foggy. See-
rolling thunder clouds will no doubt strike fear in those who have ing beauty is a choice which is determined by your attitude.
experienced storms in the past. Finally, we have dread, despair, gloom
and longing for better days with the fog. How you choose to react to “I believe us “Islanders” choose to see the beauty the island way”
each of these pictures will depend on your attitude. Which category
will you fall into? And why? It’s all about your attitude. - John & Kathy

Valastro
Would you like to know what many of us “Islanders” see? I for one
see beauty, God’s power and awesomeness in each one of them. Sun-
rises and sunsets show God’s artistic ability to produce portraits like
no other. His majestic use of colors cannot be matched. If you doubt
me, check out the thousands of pictures taken by professionals, am-
ateurs and the locals walking down the Seawall using an iPhone and
posting this beauty on Galveston Talk website.

The rolling thunderstorm shows God’s mighty power. The beauty in
this storm can be relief from searing heat and humidity during a long
hot summer. It has the power to push and clear out the hovering John and Kathy Valastro
fog that can last for weeks and it can signal the end of the hurricane The Palms Condos
season that will ease our fear of another devastating storm.
Galveston, Texas.

70 | Waves Magazine | March 2019 Issue