Perspective

Perspective is a funny thing that I've been thinking a lot about lately. It's a game changer.

It blows my mind that the same exact scenario or situation, when looked at from a different perspective or approach, changes an entire story. I remember growing up reading books that would change perspective ((or narrator)) from chapter to chapter. One chapter being told by one character's point of view, and the next chapter from a different character's point of view. The situation was the same— but depending on the character's perspective, the whole story would be altered.

Isn't it crazy that perspective is actually a choice that we *GET* to make... We get to choose the way we look at things. No, we don't get to choose what happens to us in life necessary, but we do always have a choice in the way we perceive it— in the way that we respond and move forward.

I have to check myself on a regular basis to see what my perspective is. Am I seeing things in a negative/defeated way, or am I seeing that same ((often times unfortunate)) situation with hope + with a positive view point? Often times our natural human instinct is to have this "tell it like it is" mentality. I don't know about you, but I don't want to be like everybody else. And not only that, I don't want to just see things as they are... that's depressing. What if I woke up each morning with a positive perspective that saw the best in every situation? And even when things looked pretty bad on the outside, I had hope that the best could come out of it?

Our thoughts are so powerful. I'm sure you've heard the quote, "as a man thinketh in his heart, so he is" Sometimes it's easy to look at a positive person and think that they are only positive bc they have it easy + bad things never happen to them. I've definitely felt this way before myself, however I know that it's not true because I know plenty of positive people whom I've learned have been through a lot of **** ((insert appropriate 4 letter word here)). The difference is, they choose to make the best of it. They choose to let the situation make them stronger, as they continue to move forward with the right perspective. My challenge to myself as we are ending 2016 and quickly approaching the new year is to start 2017 with a positive perspective, in the good + the bad. A positive perspective does not mean ignoring problems or denying the truth— it simply means shifting my approach in a way that brings light to what's going on around me rather than to let it make me feel overwhelmed + defeated. I want to shape this intentional positive perspective in my thinking, bc I truly believe it will then trickle into every other area of my life!

If someone were reading the chapter of a book that my character was narrating, I'd want them to actually WANT to keep reading from my point of view... bc my perspective of the story was bringing them hope, perseverance, inspiration, and joy— no matter what!

Xo- Tara