#264: Perspective is Everything
Someone once asked me: “What are the first 5 words that come to mind when you hear the word ‘Generosity’?” I thought to myself, and then listened as he shared his. While it was not too surprising to me that he had 5 entirely different words, it did surprise me how infrequently I consider this…
That to each and every person, the world and their experience of it is different, and that when I speak to someone, the lens through which I speak and the lens through which they hear can often play a greater role than the words spoken. That to truly have empathy, it’s not about me necessarily trying to understand how someone feels, but acknowledging that I may never (despite efforts) really know, and that the best I can do in life is challenge my own perspective to see the world in more ways than my natural inclination to view it. Amanda’s blog makes me think of this, and how symbols in my own life often serve as a reminder of perspective.
- Christina
PERSPECTIVE IS EVERYTHING
Back in grade school, I enjoyed learning and getting creative with the element of symbolism. I liked when my English teacher asked us to think more deeply about what was revealed in the actions of characters inside our books, or in their names, or in the colors in story settings. I now find myself often seeking the deeper, sometimes hidden meaning of things beyond books and inside my everyday life. I see the stars above representing peace and wonder, a tree bark tangled in vines illustrating resilience, a freshly-filled morning coffee mug embodying warmth, richness, and possibility for the day ahead.
Maybe I try to believe there may be an added element of beauty or magic in certain things even if it’s not immediately apparent. It may just take looking a bit closer at the way simple occurrences or even mundane objects present themselves. Because at times, a new revelation could bloom from them.
So this week’s symbol that portrayed itself was found in my plant (fun fact: it was a gift from Pip). When I received it in the mail, it was just a little seedling. But now after three years, lots of Florida sunshine, and a very long road trip, it has settled here in New York with me.
One afternoon, I was sitting in my room looking at it when I quickly noticed how one of its tiny branches was wilting downward (picture shown). Feeling sad, I immediately started asking myself what I had done wrong… Maybe overwatering? Underwatering? The placement I had chosen in the room? I didn’t know. Despite being a plant mom to ten, I wouldn’t consider myself having the greenest of thumbs. So my mind jumped to the sad conclusion: the plant was dying.
A few minutes later, I glanced back over at it, this time from a different angle. And I saw it in a new light (literally… I think the sun had changed positions in the sky). I realized the wilted branch was drooping downward not from malnourishment, but because it had actually grown too heavy to support itself. Having sprouted so many vibrant leaves, it began weighing itself down.
It wasn’t dying; as a matter of fact, it was thriving.
This fresh consciousness reminded me of the Buddha quote, “Our life is the creation of our minds.” It’s true. It was interesting to become aware of how my anxious thoughts try to take over and influence, even dictate, my outlook... to think the worst before considering the possibility of a positive in a situation, whether large or small.
So this plant has become a new, somewhat magical, somewhat symbolic reminder in my bedroom… in my life. A symbol that sprouts hope and enthusiasm, rather than root pessimism or despair. I’m still learning this notion that mental perspective is everything. That a growth mindset can be the lense through which the world is seen… And that each day, I have the capacity to decide to wear that brighter lens.
