Perspective. That’s what I hear when I’m alone with my thoughts. I’m learning to look at life to see and feel it in a different way. I’m not just wanting to see from my point of view, but maybe from yours as well.

I’m trying to see life the way a young mother, in line at the grocery store, with not enough money, so she puts back the sweet things that were just for her, but is still grateful she can feed her children.

… or to see life like the kid who is in a wheelchair, with only one arm, but still has a huge smile because he’s thankful to be alive.

… or to have the perspective of the grandfather whose legs have slowed his life down. The things he used to do are harder than they were in his early years, but he looks back at the blessings of his hard work and has no regrets.

… or to see through the eyes of the grandmother who tends to her small grandbabies and thinks “this wasn’t this hard when I raised mine”, but would not trade the time spent for anything in the world.

… or the mom who has just moved hundreds of miles away from everything and everyone she has ever known to start a new life with her young family, and is slowly opening up to the idea that it’s gonna be ok. 

… or the working mom who is learning to balance work, her husband, and two small children, with less time and more responsibility than ever before, but is glowing with the pride of her accomplishments.

I want to be compassionate to the world around me. I want to understand. I want to know the secret that changes someone’s perspective from one of despair to one of hope and peace.

I’ve not written lately about my shoulder (The Shoulder Saga Part 1, Part 2,  Part 3), partly because I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out, and partly because I was feeling sorry for myself. I’ve kind of hit a wall. I’m not really progressing anymore, and was told that physical therapy is just aggravating the shoulder. That is not what I wanted to hear, but then I got to start taking it easy, no hard stretching or exercises, just some light stuff to ease the discomfort and pain.

As a result, I began to pay attention to the people around me and started to see things differently. The amazing people I mentioned above have become my inspiration to view life for what it is and what it’s potential is to become. Yes, I have limitations now that I’ve never had before. I’m weak in places I used to be strong. For now, I can’t throw a ball with my nephew, pick up babies, or even play the piano (I tried), but I’m learning new ways to deal with those things that have been lost and new ways to accommodate for my weaknesses. In time, it will come and I’m learning to be grateful for what I do have, so very grateful. I know it could be so much worse than it is.

“Time heals all wounds”. That’s what they say, and that is the perspective I am choosing.

Published by Jeff

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