[pər-ˈspek-tiv]
-noun
a. the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed; also : point of view
b : the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance
(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perspective)
I've been thinking about this word for a long time now. Besides the definitions from Mr. Webster, I think perspective also means, in simple terms, how one views the world. This view is influenced by life experiences, principles and values, and attitudes. And this view, whether it's negative or positive, can affect all areas of our lives.
When I'm experiencing a trial my perspective decides whether I endure this trial gracefully or angrily. Whether I feel gratitude or despair. Whether I allow myself to grow or to become stifled. I'm a firm believer that positivity creates more positivity and negativity spawns more negativity.
I've been working on having a more positive perspective and I've discovered that trying to look at things with a positive perspective really is helpful. It really makes me feel more grateful for all my many blessings and actually makes the trial a bit easier to bear.
A few months ago our book club read The Noticer by Andy Andrews. The subtitle for this book is "Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective."
The consensus among our book club ladies was that reading this book was a life-changing experience and most of us ordered copies for all our kids. Comments like "I want my kids to get this now," and "If my kids can understand this now, their lives will be so much better," were common during our book club lunch that month. Several of us were on our second read, highlighters and marking pens in hand. We wanted to really "get it."
I also ordered copies for my away-at-college kids. And sent it to all family members with birthdays around that time. And sent it to a couple of friends. Life-changing, I tell you.
The story is about an older man, Jones (not Mister Jones, just Jones), who visits different people in a small town. His first visit is to a young man who is basically homeless and who has pretty much given up on the world and on life. Jones shares his dinner with this man one night and while sitting on the beach asks the man what he's eating. The man, a bit perplexed says, "I'm eating sardines and Vienna sausages." "Where?" asks Jones. "In the sand," replies the man. Then Jones says something that sets the tone for the entire book: "Incidentally...you ate sardines and Vienna sausages in the sand. I dined on surf and turf with an ocean view" (p. 12, 15-16).
It's all about perspective.
*Image courtesy of Amazon.com
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