Are you blooming where you are planted? Published July 20, 2018 By Senior Master Sgt. Faith McNelley 22nd Mission Support Group MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- I love to garden and be outside. This Spring, my husband and I decided it was time to start establishing our property and planted over 60 saplings. We envisioned how our land would look once the trees were fully grown and we were excited. We read the planter’s manual on proper tree care, watered them daily and gave them everything they needed to have a great start at life. We thought we were tree masters. We had it all under control. Fast forward three months and we now have only 12 saplings remaining. Surprisingly, these 12 were planted in the worst soil and, in our trees’ subject matter expert’s opinion, were least likely to succeed. Much like trees, people have a tendency to not flourish where they have been planted. We give ourselves permission to be unhappy about where we are stationed or who supervises us. Once we allow this to happen, it influences our attitude and motivation. It begs the question as to why some people bloom and others don’t. It comes down to one simple answer—choices. Are you choosing to look at your situation negatively or are you choosing to deliberately look at it positively? It takes a lot of time and effort for someone to change their perspective on life. If you are able to accomplish this, then the next time you think the grass is greener on the other side, try watering the grass where you are planted and you will surely bloom.