Perspective

Hello everyone,

Today's word can be looked at in a variety of ways - different perspectives...get it? :-)

The picture above is of our first-ever tomato plant that we are growing in our elevated garden on our patio. From this perspective, the green tomatoes looks quite big, don't they? Actually, the largest one on the branch is about the size of a quarter here. Sadly, even though this picture was taken about a month ago, they aren't much bigger now. 

So...yesterday, I pruned the second branch - basically just cut it right off the plant so that any nourishment that was going to the second branch (which had no tomatoes on it at all, but was still sprouting pretty little tomato blooms) would now flow to the branch with the tomatoes. I'm hopeful that this will allow us to pluck at least one ripe tomato before the birds or other critters discover our treasure!

So from our perspective, we had to "let go" of one thing to try to nourish the other.  Has that ever happened in your life? Have you had to let go of something to protect something (or someONE) else? A job? A relationship? An attitude? Financial security? Have you been able to find clarity in your new perspective?

I told you in the last post that we were going to Shands to try to get answers on Guy's continuing jaw issues. In two days, we will return to Shands to get a surgery date and the details on what they will have to do to help improve his quality of life. All we know so far is that they will cut out his right lower jawbone and replace it with a titanium bar that will help support the new bone, which will be cut from the fibula in his leg. Depending on the day, our perspective changes on how we feel - hopeful one day because something is finally being done. Scared another day (pretty much every day, actually) because this is a huge deal. However, when we step back and consider our options, our perspective always ends up on "hopeful." It has to, doesn't it? We can wish it weren't so or be angry because it is so, but in the end, our perspective needs to be hopeful.

What's going on in your life that you wish weren't so - or find yourself being angry about because it is so? As Dr. Phil would say, "How's that workin' for ya??" It probably isn't. Often, when we find ourselves in one of those pits of wishing or anger, we need to change our perspective. 

As you may have heard me say in one of my programs - or maybe I've even mentioned it here - there are only 3 things that can possibly happen in a situation: 1) you can change the situation, 2) you can leave the situation, or 3) you can change your response to that situation. In so many instances, #3 is really our only viable option.

So, will you join me in trying to remember option #3 the next time your perspective gets out of kilter? I know it won't be easy - but it's sometimes all we've got!

Do drop me a note and let me know how it's going for you.

Blessings,
Linda
www.LindasWorkshops.com
Linda@LindasWorkshops.com

 

Perspective

Hi everyone,

Today's word has so many "perspectives," doesn't it??

So many things happen in our lives every day that can affect our perspective. Maybe we're worried about that huge unexpected car repair bill, then we remember that there are those who can't afford bus fare.

We are irritated about waiting too long in the doctor's office for our yearly appointment, then talk to a friend who was just diagnosed with cancer.

We complain about the heat (don't we always, fellow Floridians??) then hear about the horrible mudslides in Colorado, typhoons in the Philippines, or even the awful sinkhole that just swallowed an apartment building only an hour away!

We fuss about friends and relatives who don't make the effort to stay in touch, then we read about Tripp Halstead who continues to fight every day to overcome a traumatic brain injury. That family is thankful he's alive, even though he can't communicate with them.

We complain about too much work, then read yet another story about the thousands of people who can't find a job.

We bemoan the fact that we need to go to the gym to exercise, then realize how fortunate we are that we are healthy enough to do so.

We wince when we think about all the home repairs and chores that need done, then realize how wonderful it is to have a place to call home.

Last night, I stretched out on the bed with the lights off, just to take a deep breath. It was DARK - and quiet. In that nearly totally darkened room, I couldn't help thinking about how precious my sight is. I pondered how thankful I am to be able to hear the faint sound of the air conditioning unit (thankful for the hearing AND the a/c!).

So...the next time you realize your perspective might be a bit off-kilter, stop and think about what someone else's perspective might be of your situation. You might just find yourself thankful for your particular "lot in life." Let me know if you do!

Blessings,

Linda

www.LindasWorkshops.com

Linda@LindasWorkshops.com  

Disappointment...

I love the stunningly beautiful blooms that the passion flower creates. I don't, however, love the way the plant invades the entire space on my patio. Last week, I was disappointed to have to cut it down - all of it, or so I thought. I needed to clean up the fence area so that, if we ever find someone who wants the job (another story!), the fence will be ready to tear down. However, my disappointment was lessened when I noticed the beginnings of new sprouts in a non-fence area of the patio. Now if I can just discipline myself to keep it cut back so it doesn't have to go through such a traumatic operation next time!

And speaking of disappointment, a few weeks ago I applied for a residency at a writer's retreat in NC. Last night, I received word that I was not chosen out of the 250+ people who applied for this year's coveted spots. To say I was disappointed is putting it mildly. My "recovery time" from the disappointment that email created was a little longer than I care to admit. But I HAVE recovered - less than 24 hours later. For some reason, I was not supposed to take that week out of my schedule this year. Perhaps someone needs me for training during that time - or maybe my family will just need a little extra attention. There's also the very real possibility that those who did secure a residency spot needed it more than I did. Whatever the reason, I know that the disappointment I felt last night can be replaced by a forward-looking perspective.

You all know me - I'm the eternal optimist. I do believe that something better will come along - whatever "better" looks like at that point in time. Here's the key - it's my decision to decide that whatever DOES come along looks better!

What about you? What disappointments have you faced lately? Most of us are exposed to occasional disappointments and it might be helpful to face them head on - then decide what we're going to do about it. Will we find the "better" or the "bitter?" It's up to US!

And by the way...I'll be applying again this summer for next year's residency!

Blessings,
Linda
www.LindasWorkshops.com
Linda@LindasWorkshops.com