Reflecting Spirit Musings

PERSPECTIVE: A view, vista or outlook; The appearance of depth in objects,
especially as perceived using binocular vision; The technique of representing
three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface; The choice of a single
point of view from which to sense, categorize, measure or codify experience.
Dictionary source

The word Perspective came to my attention reading one of Gregg Braden's book. He said
something like, If you want to change your experience, change your perspective. Seems
easy enough, like the 1/2 full 1/2 empty glass concept. But what happens when applying it to
my life?

Here's one experience of which I tried changing my perspective.   You might relate to this
example.

Cleaning my house. It was always something I had to push myself to do. It seemed so
difficult and lots of procrastination. It was just such a big effort to get through the cleaning
and definitely not a good experience. So how did I change my perspective about cleaning
house?

First I looked at why I didn't like cleaning house and found it too detailed and just plain work!
I wish I could say I was forced as a young girl to clean house and therefore I hate it now.
Truth is I simply don't like mundane things. You sweep the floor and it looks nice for 10
seconds!   Then, I saw a woman on Oprah talking about washing dishes with love &
gratitude. She was convincing! So I tried focusing on being grateful for the things I had to
clean, realizing what they brought me in beauty, comfort and functionality and how having a
clean house felt. I found myself really looking at my things as I was cleaning and finding a
new appreciation or deciding to get rid of it. I began to realize how much work went in to
taking care of all my stuff! It got easier to give things away that didn't touch my spirit in some
way or had a useful function. Often still when I am cleaning I find more things I am ready to
let go. It is interesting to see what I want to keep.

Changing my experience in cleaning house was also helped by my husband. He is a "worker
person" and doesn't experience mundane things as I do. I learned from talking and
observing him, that it's not a thinking process for him. He becomes involved with the task at
hand. He lets the task move him as he works.   Me on the other hand, I want results and I
just want it done now! Well that perspective hasn't served me very well. So I have spent
some time trying to embrace the process and not think so much. Before I was a systematic
cleaner, having to do it all in one day, from the top down, as throughly as possible. No
wonder I procrastinated. Now I might clean just the bathroom because it really needs it.
Other times I dust and vacuum the whole place. Sometimes I get inside of closets and
reorganize.

The experience of cleaning house is a really different experience for me now.   I clean as
needed rather then being tied to a system.   It is not something I dread doing. Best of all I
feel peaceful as I go about the task. On days I really need to get some cleaning done and
don't feel like it, I play music that I like to sing and dance with as I clean. For me music is a
great mood changer!

So it seems to me that by taking a little time to look at the experience I don't like, I can by
changing my perspective, change my experience. The process started by becoming
aware of some of my beliefs about cleaning. Then it helped me to find others who didn't
have the same experience as myself and observe what was their perspective and
experience. I tried stepping into their perspective to see how it felt. It felt good so I tried
changing my perspective!

There are layers of beliefs that help shape our perspective. The very act of acknowledging
another perspective then your own, opens you to change. To actually change your
perspective you have to look at your beliefs doing the shaping.   The old perspective creeps
back out of habit. It takes vigilance to keep your new perspective. So when I find my
experience of cleaning house has slipped back to resentment or boredom, I am thankful I am
aware of this and move my thought to the perspective I prefer and have now experienced.
Maybe turn that music on! It isn't always like just turning on a switch, it can take time to
change.

Changing perspective is a powerful act. Don't think lightly of this action because my
example is about cleaning house. Perspective shapes our personal life, our world and the
environment. If you want your life, the world or the environment to change, start by seeing
your perspective clearly. They have a way of hiding just like the picture above of You/Me.

I thought you might find this paragraph about our brain interesting.

Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't
mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny
iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae.
The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a
porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey
lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Take a look at this article, it has some interesting information about Beliefs.
http://www.beinghealthynaturally.com/mentalhealth/changingbeliefs.php

To have some fun, check this site out!
Optical Illusions

Check out the Chalk Guy images. He has a handle on Perspective!
www.deepesh.com.np/amazing/the-chalk-guy.html

Autumn 2008

What word do
you see? There
are two!

MUSINGS - PERSPECTIVE

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