Perspective : a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; point of view (Oxford Dictionary)
Well…tomorrow is my 56th birthday! Truly I sit in awe and wonder how I got to be that number! I won’t say “how I got that old” because I believe “old” is a state of mind. However, I do sit back and reflect on the number – 56 trips around the sun! Have I made a difference? What will I do with the years I have left on this earth?
I recently read a book on perspective (The Noticer by Andy Andrews). Isn’t it true how our perspective on something can make all the difference in the world? Just a simple example – I could have the perspective of my being 56 tomorrow as just one more step closer to the grave. What a horrible perspective in my opinion! Or my perspective could be I have the privilege to see 56 (Lord willing) and the opportunity to continue to learn, grow, experience new things, help people and just work on getting better. Now that perspective makes me want to get out of bed, work hard and keep my eyes open for opportunity.
Listen…I know that people are experiencing awful situations every day. I do. My family is currently fighting cancer with a loved one. I know that life is always throwing “stuff” at us. However, I truly feel that we need to have the positive perspective, hopeful perspective, grateful perspective, curious perspective. Really…what is the alternative? Well, we know what the alternative is and I don’t think it will produce a hopeful, happy, healthy, enjoyable, prosperous life.
I can write about this because I had my perspective all wrong for about 3 years. (see previous post on Empty Nest Syndrome) I am not proud to admit my poor perspective, but it is true. When my hubby and I became empty nesters, my perspective was NOT “yeah I helped raise 3 independent women and now I can learn and do something new”. My perspective just stunk – just being real. I was completely blindsided by my feelings/perspective. I was not the young woman who dreamed of the day I would get married and have children. I just didn’t sit around fantasizing about that part of my life. That being said – once I was a wife and a mom, I loved it so much!!! I think I always thought that once our 3 girls were grown, I could focus again on my dreams and goals. What did I end up focusing on…the sadness of them being gone, the emptiness of not having them at the dinner table, the lack of “activities” to go to, the absence of cheering them on whether it was for a tough assignment at school or at a sporting event. I just wasted 3 or more years wallowing in my “poor, pitiful me who has no kids left at home” perspective. I am CHOOSING now in my life to have a completely different perspective…one I used to have in my early 20’s….a curious perspective…a hopeful perspective…an “I can accomplish what I set my mind to” perspective.
I will take my current perspective and work hard to “WEAR THE PERFUME!” in my life.
My goal is to help and encourage others to do the same.
So I ask “what is your perspective on life today”? Just think about it when you start to get down, get discouraged, etc. Your perspective very well can change your life.
Thank you for stopping by!
WEAR THE PERFUME!
Linda
