The Oxford
English dictionary defines perspective as “a way of thinking about something.”
There exist as many perspectives in the world as there are people. Each one is
unique and gives us an insight about the person who owns it. Yet our mind stays
stuck to just one of them when trying to solve problems or while even thinking
about something. Our own.
Often we
experience that we cannot think of a possible way of solving our problems, of
dealing with people. We wonder what makes people so different from one another.
The answer to these questions may seem unrelated, but really, it all lies in
how we look at things. For instance, we see old people around us. So many of
them stay in a state of seclusion, and no matter how hard we try, they seem
impossible to satisfy. Their mindset seems to have become inflexible and they
do not accept changes as easily as we do. They take themselves to be a burden
upon the lives of their ‘extremely busy children,’ or they tend to find flaws
with everything their children try to do for them. And then there are the other
type, the ones which want to be included, and tend to find the good stuff in
everything around them. They know there is a need to take action to be happy –
only expecting others to do something is useless. Upon close observation, we
notice that the only difference between these two types of the same age group
is their perspective – the latter more positive than the former.
Such
examples abound in our life. People who have suffered from an accident
physically may or may not have suffered mentally. Ever since my accident,
people have asked me, “Don’t you ask yourself why this happened to you?” And I
have only had one thing to say. Whatever happens, happens for good. This is not
a very happy incidence, I agree. But the changes it has incurred in my
perspective, in my way of looking at things, is overwhelming. Never have I ever
pitied myself, nor have I let anybody else pity me. Thinking positively can get
you through everything.
There are
times when we are completely devoid of hope. There is nothing that seems to
comfort us, to make us feel worthy. The simple question that can help us find
meaning in such situations is this: ‘What good might this do to me?’ No matter
how long it takes to find the answer to this question, in the end that alone is
what heals our soul, helps us find ourselves and makes us more positive. This
little change in perspective – from focussing on what’s good rather than what’s
bad – is what can keep us going.
What can we
do to stay positive? Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to stay positive. But
once an effort is taken, it is possible to find happiness in everything, even
create happiness where necessary. There is a lot that can be done. Try to look
at things in as many different ways as possible. Assert yourself, “you can do
it” and push yourself again. Do what you love and love what you do. Give yourself
a break from those things that hurt you – even people. Think of what can be
done, not what damage has already occurred. Have patience. Remember, it is the
little things that matter in life. Stop expecting and start doing. Smile to
yourself and be thankful for your life. There are people out there who want to
be in your place, so consider yourself lucky. Inculcate habits which are
healthy both physically and mentally. Never give up, because better things are
yet to come!