Keeping Perspective

"When I hear somebody sigh that life is hard, I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?'" 


     We like to compare our lives to those of people we think are richer, smarter, happier, better looking, more famous. Why don't we have a house like the couple's down the street? Why aren't we doing better at work? Why can't we find the love of our life?
     We forget that there are plenty of people who look on us with envy. They would really like to have our job, live on our block, or enjoy our personal freedom. When we hear them talk about the things we take for granted, we remember that we have it pretty good after all. 

     It might sound corny, but it does help to "count my blessings" so I can pay attention to all the good things in my life. "I try to see the good in life, but good things in life are hard to find." -"It's Not Over" by Chris Daughtry. I sighed to everything before and longed to be someone else because it seemed so easy to dream and not take responsibility of life. But after all, this IS... my body, my mind, MY heart. 
     Every person has their own story captivated with drama, waves of emotions, hopes and fears. And therefore, the simple idea of perspective is the most valuable power for ourselves. Why? Because we can get so entangled in our own worlds we often lose sense of what's on the outside. 
     I have my own story, and there will be more stories coming forth. But I will keep in mind, the act of looking ahead at all the challenges that I will be facing will make me reflect on the past, yet look ahead at the same time with a sort of perspective that I forbid to allow fake confidence and encourage fear. Keeping and Changing Perspective! ^^ ~

Self-Talk

"People don't just get upset. They contribute to their upsetness."


     It's not the events in our lives that upsets us. It's how we think about them. If something bad happens, we may complain and fear we'll never feel better again.
     But someone else in the same situation might say, "Gee, that's too bad, but I know I can handle it." The same event, two different perspectives. We can't control many of the things that happen to us, but we can control how we react to them.
     I'd like things to go my way, but, really, there's nothing that says they should. I need to remind myself that I have what it takes to improve my mood...and my life.
     People fall in and out of love in unimaginable ways and in unfortunate events, things fall apart and waves of unbearable emotions sways. The first couple of steps, we collapse. Fatigue drowns and we're being dragged under. We hear our bosses complain and pose threats for our performances. Parents nag about the simplest things such as you taking care of yourself and their most common question, "What are you going to do with your life?"
     We get upset when we're going through events, questions or anything that goes against what we don't want to answer or to do. But how do we react to it? Do you keep thinking about it and let it constantly reminiscence around? Or do you shake it off and keep the track moving in an positive alternative?

I used to let things reminiscence around because it preserves a specific feeling I wanted to continue having. But reality snaps and I have to proceed. If you don't move on, YOUR world will forever be THAT small. And most importantly, you will not know how to really care for "The Self." I'm moving on. Where are you at?

 

Little Things: To Rise Above It.

"One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things."
     
     The faucet is leaking, we walk out of the house with mismatching socks, we run out of milk, we're low on gas, the yard needs mowing, we forget to thaw some meat for dinner. These sorts of trivial issues can pile up to ruin a day. But ONLY if we let them.
     We can't think big thoughts all the time, but we can keep the little things in perspective and not let their sheer numbers overwhelm us.
     I'm going to take a deep breath, maybe even two or three deep breaths....and remind myself that as annoying as the minor problems of everyday life are, I'm not going to fret about them.
     I have fretted about family before and even so often friends too. But I keep reminding myself, nothing is more important as to taking care of myself. That is MY job for myself. No one can take that. If the minor problems keep distracting me from my bigger perspectives, then my life would be HELLA tiresome and annoying; a real headache. Keep it simple. It's the way to enjoy life yet catching awareness in the process of learning.

I'm still hanging on. What about you? =]