I bet you’re missing out on so much of life, just by how you currently see things. There’s so much to gain by just changing your perspective every now and then. My recent trip to Nicaragua was a strong reminder of that. Few things bring more perspective than international travel to a third-world country.
Do you need to change your perspective?
The famous artist, Leonardo Da Vinci, (who painted the Mona Lisa), was known for changing his perspective before considering one of his masterpieces 100% complete. Apparently, when Da Vinci was supposedly 99.9% finished, his final step was to look at his painting in a mirror. Simply by changing his perspective and how he saw the painting, he would notice needed changes in the painting that were impossible for him to see before. Turns out, perspective is a really powerful thing.
I’ve always struggled with this. Judging others is something I used to do a lot of. My pride, arrogance, and selfishness always allowed me to look at other people and situations and immediately jump to conclusions. I’d think, “That guy has some serious alcohol issues.” Or, “That teenager after the show tonight was ridiculously annoying.” Or, “I can’t believe the pilot of this plane didn’t show up, and now my flight is delayed until they find another pilot.” Or, “Why can’t I ever get ahead?? I never seem to be able to buy anything just for me.”
On the surface, those thoughts, though not perfect, don’t seem ridiculous. They actually seem normal. Until…
Until you change your perspective, and realize that the guy’s problem with alcohol is actually a problem in his marriage, and he doesn’t have any friends or help in figuring out how to deal with it. So he drinks a lot to drown out the feelings of despair. Doesn’t make it right, but it certainly changes my response.
Or, until you change your perspective, and find out that the annoying teenager is being raised by his single mom, because his dad left when he was 3. And because his younger siblings need attention from his mom, he doesn’t get much attention at all. So, he makes up for it by begging for attention at social gatherings.
Or, until you change your perspective, and realize that the pilot’s wife is in the hospital, because she was involved in a car accident that wasn’t her fault, and her husband rushed to the hospital instead of to work to fly my plane.
Or, until your perspective is changed by walking into a 10′ by 10′ home in another country, and are reminded that an overwhelming number of people live on less than $1 a day, and that the jeans you’re wearing cost more than their monthly grocery bill…and you bought the jeans at a thrift store.
Take a hint from Da Vinci in creating something beautiful. Gaining perspective changes art. And lives.
How has changing your perspective changed yours?
Do you need to change your perspective?
The famous artist, Leonardo Da Vinci, (who painted the Mona Lisa), was known for changing his perspective before considering one of his masterpieces 100% complete. Apparently, when Da Vinci was supposedly 99.9% finished, his final step was to look at his painting in a mirror. Simply by changing his perspective and how he saw the painting, he would notice needed changes in the painting that were impossible for him to see before. Turns out, perspective is a really powerful thing.I’ve always struggled with this. Judging others is something I used to do a lot of. My pride, arrogance, and selfishness always allowed me to look at other people and situations and immediately jump to conclusions. I’d think, “That guy has some serious alcohol issues.” Or, “That teenager after the show tonight was ridiculously annoying.” Or, “I can’t believe the pilot of this plane didn’t show up, and now my flight is delayed until they find another pilot.” Or, “Why can’t I ever get ahead?? I never seem to be able to buy anything just for me.”
On the surface, those thoughts, though not perfect, don’t seem ridiculous. They actually seem normal. Until…
Until you change your perspective, and realize that the guy’s problem with alcohol is actually a problem in his marriage, and he doesn’t have any friends or help in figuring out how to deal with it. So he drinks a lot to drown out the feelings of despair. Doesn’t make it right, but it certainly changes my response.
Or, until you change your perspective, and find out that the annoying teenager is being raised by his single mom, because his dad left when he was 3. And because his younger siblings need attention from his mom, he doesn’t get much attention at all. So, he makes up for it by begging for attention at social gatherings.
Or, until you change your perspective, and realize that the pilot’s wife is in the hospital, because she was involved in a car accident that wasn’t her fault, and her husband rushed to the hospital instead of to work to fly my plane.
Or, until your perspective is changed by walking into a 10′ by 10′ home in another country, and are reminded that an overwhelming number of people live on less than $1 a day, and that the jeans you’re wearing cost more than their monthly grocery bill…and you bought the jeans at a thrift store.
Take a hint from Da Vinci in creating something beautiful. Gaining perspective changes art. And lives.
How has changing your perspective changed yours?
