I live across the street from a kindergarten. Kindergarten,where I live in Switzerland, is two years and begins at four. Theyhave their own building and most of the children walk by themselvesto school. Except, they don't walk. They run.

As adults, we run, too. When we're very late, or when we're inexercise clothes, trying to get in shape or just get into ourjeans. But, these children are not late. They aren't trying to loseweight. They are just running, from their houses to the school. Andthey laugh while they are doing it.

They run in clumps of threes and fours. Sometimes they holdhands. Sometimes they don't. They all stop at the curbs andlook carefully, right and then left, as their parents and thesafety officer, who came to their kindergarten, explained to them.And once they are assured of the safety of the situation, they takeoff, running, until they arrive at the kindergarten gate.

We're adults. We're way too busy and serious and important togleefully scamper down the street, on our way to whatever task itis that we have to do. Most of us tend to drive whenever it'spossible.

Now, I'm not advising you to start running down the road,flailing your arms and giggling madly, because there is somethingto be said for showing a little restraint and maturity. Clientsaren't generally thrilled when your team of four walks into themeeting all holding hands and giggling. But, there's something Iwant to point out here:

Not one of those children is going to kindergarten of their ownfree will and choice.

Not one. Even their parents didn't have full authority to makethat decision. School is mandatory from age four. (Homeschooling islegal here, but it's a complex process to be approved for it.) Theydon't even get to decide if they want to go in on a particular day.If mom and dad say, “Today's a school day!” then, by golly, it's aschool day.

Yet, they still run, gleefully. And it's not because it's aperfectly cheerful place to be. There are squabbles. Skinned knees.Rules about what they can have in their snack. (Healthy snacksonly!) And occasionally, one of their classmates may slap, punch,kick or bite them.

But, when they are on their way to school, they don't focus onthe unpleasant parts. They may be holding hands with someonewho hit them the day before. They may have a slightly mushy appleas their snack.

Do we do that? Or do we focus on the negative? When we get up inthe morning, do we focus on the cool things we get to do today? Ordo we grumble the whole way about the person at the office who is ajerk? Read Suzanne Lucas' complete Inc.com blog post