Perspective is a fascinating concept. It is 100% personal and is based upon one’s beliefs and experiences. It is defined as a point of view or an attitude toward something. Henry David Thoreau, American naturalist and essayist eloquently captured the essence of perspective when he stated that “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
Every day we have the chance to view life and our experiences in either a positive, neutral, or negative way. Some days it is easy to see the good in the world. Then there are other days when the bad stomps out any glimmer of good. Two people can have the same experience, the same chain of events, yet one views them as bad and the other as good. Why? Because it is all based upon their perspective of how they see the world. A glass half full versus a glass half empty – opportunity versus lack.
At any moment there can be a pivot, a change in perspective. However, to make that change there needs to be an understanding that things can be viewed in a different light. How is that done? There are various techniques that can be used to open the mind to see things differently. I write of mindfulness often, the process of being aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgement. Being mindful allows for objective analysis creating an opportunity to observe things from a different vantage point. Similarly, meditation can serve the same purpose. It provides a break in the constant flow of thought and creates a moment to slow things down to truly explore any feeling without opinion. Both mindfulness and meditation grant the opportunity to challenge existing beliefs and assumptions. Asking oneself the simple question “why do I feel this way” creates an additional opportunity to go deeper into self-analysis. Challenging existing beliefs and allowing oneself to see the other side of the coin reinforces the thought that what is being experienced can be perceived in a different way.
Empathy or viewing the situation from another person’s point of view also allows for a new perspective. There are no two snowflakes that are alike, and we are just as unique having different backgrounds and experiences. Putting oneself into the shoes of another opens the door to a new narrative of what may be happening. Finally, when the negative emotion is removed, and the situation is reframed into a more positive or realistic one, it can change what was once seen as a detriment into a benefit.
Learning how to change perspectives opens new doors in the mind, expanding our awareness. This mental agility gives the mind the nutrients to blossom like a flower greeting the sun. Glass half empty days happen. When they do, remember you can reframe the situation. It is your perspective, and you have the choice on how you view your world. Why not make it the most beautiful place you can.
Comments