Perspective is everything and nothing all at once.
What do I mean by that? Well, give me a sec to ponder. That thought literally just waltzed into my brain.
I'm reminded of a humorous tale about a big sister and her little sister—a older sibling who was way wiser. Guess which one I am? So, the story begins after my mom passed away on August 1, 2022. She lived in the same house for over 50 years with my Polish dad. It was a home they built in 1967 on her namesake street, Gloria Drive. They raised a family in that building that became their home. There were keepsakes from her childhood and ours. There was even a stunning cross I inherited, dating back to the 1860s with photographic proof of a wedding in 1860 and another in 1965—both brides rocking the same cross.
So, I hope I've painted an accurate picture... there was a mountain of stuff (or insert your favorite word) to rummage through as we prepped the house for sale. My mom was a retired schoolteacher, and let me tell you, her socks were in sync with every single holiday. She also had decorations for every single holiday dating back 50 or more years (not even a little exaggeration). She adored celebrations, and it was crystal clear in the plastic tubs we rummaged through.
My sister and I stumbled upon one tub filled with Christmas tree bulbs—blues, greens, and reds. I remember decking the halls with them every year on a real Christmas tree (none of that fake stuff). Anyway, my sister said, “They're just plastic.” I said, “Nope, they're glass.” We played verbal ping-pong for a bit with a friendly disagreement. With a twinkle in my eye, I said, “Go ahead, drop one” (we had plenty to spare). So, she dropped it, expecting it to bounce or roll into the garage's nooks. It shattered. I laughed. She laughed, and she knew I was right!
So, back to perspective, in this case, my sister’s perspective was nada. It was based on a flimsy façade. It felt like plastic and, therefore, it must have been. My perspective was mine, based on my previous bulb-dropping escapades. I had the data to back my opinion, i.e., I'd already dropped one and knew it was glass. It's true that perspectives are as varied as snowflakes. Beauty (perspective) is in the eye of the beholder, but I truly believe a perspective can be wrong when the experiences (data) forming it are wobbly. A positive perspective can also be everything. It can take you from point A to point B with hope, resilience, gratitude, and giggles. We grow as individuals when we embrace info and opinions that don't always match our perspective. As December rolls in, find your perspective. Life is fragile, like a glass bulb, but then the laughter comes. Embrace perspective.
"Joy is a function of gratitude, and gratitude is a function of perspective. You only begin to change your life when you begin to change the way you see." - Ann Voskamp
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