It’s all in how you look at things …

Dear RV Shrink:
I have to tell you I read your column every week – mostly for the chuckles, but also to see what people are complaining about. I love your line, “Some people would complain if they were hung with a new rope.”

I just wanted to write and tell you how “abnormal” I am. I’m a full-timer with a small retro Airstream. I go wherever the wind blows. I never seem to have any of the problems the other folks experience. I think maybe they are thinking too hard. If I get neighbors with a yapping dog, I block it out. If someone decides to take a shower at the dump station while I’m waiting, I just read a book until they are done. If I get party animals camped next to me, I plug in my earbuds and listen to country music.

Life is too short to sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff. I read that somewhere, because I’m just not that creative. Anyway, keep up the good work. Every Saturday morning I love to read about what I’m missing. —Happy Go Lucky in Lake Louise

Dear Happy:
You are a breath of fresh air. You remind me of two kids who were total opposites: one a total optimist and the other a total pessimist. Their father asked me if there was anything I could suggest to maybe even them out a bit. It was near Christmas so I told him to buy the pessimist a fancy new bike with all the bells and whistles. Spare no expense and get him all the options. For the optimist, I suggested he fancy-wrap up a large box of horse manure. I told him that should even them out just fine.

On Christmas morning I happened by their house. There on the sidewalk was the pessimist. I said, “What did Santa bring you?” He said, “I got a stupid ol’ bike with so much junk on it I can’t even find the pedals!” I turned around and the optimist was running out of the house and jumping off the porch. I asked him the same question. He went screaming around the house, “I got a pony, but I haven’t found him yet!”

I think you might be pony boy. Happy travels, as if you need the encouragement. —Keep Smilin’, Richard Mallery a.k.a. Dr. R.V. Shrink

From the editor: If you haven’t read Richard Carlson’s “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … and It’s All Small Stuff” lately, you can get it and variations of it (e.g., for women, for men, about money, etc.) at Amazon.com. It shows you “simple ways to keep the little things from taking over your life.” (There’s a reason why there are more than 25 million copies of “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” in print.)

Can’t get enough of the Shrink? Read his e-book: Dr. R.V. Shrink: Everything you ever wanted to know about the RV Lifestyle but were afraid to ask or check out his other e-books.

##RVT853