Perspective

I’m reading Learning Joy from Dogs Without Collars by Lauralee Summer. As she is sharing her experience at Harvard, she introduces us to one of her roommates, Maggie. She describes Maggie as 5’10” tall and 165 lbs of muscle, and as someone who always wished she were small. Maggie sees the impracticality and inconvenience of her size where Lauralee sees something entirely different.

Lauralee talks about how when she and Maggie are in their tiny bedroom it seems that entire room has to shift imperceptibly to accommodate Maggie’s every gesture. Whether she is scooting her chair back from the desk or just stretching her arms, her every gesture has impact. And that’s what Lauralee sees and would love to have herself.

Most of us mirror this in our own lives. We see the difficulties, inconveniences and things we just don’t like as annoying hindrances. But as we create a new mindset we start to see these things as gifts, benefits and opportunities. If you can’t do it yourself right now, just ask someone else. Just as Lauralee could see the great impact Maggie can have, so your friends will have a different perspective on you.