A Little Perspective

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!