From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Perspective in theory of cognition is the choice of a context or a reference (or the result of this choice) from which to sense, categorize, measure or codify experience, cohesively forming a coherent belief, typically for comparing with another. One may further recognize a number of subtly distinctive meanings, close to those of paradigm, point of view, reality tunnel, umwelt, or weltanschauung.
To choose a perspective is to choose a value system and, unavoidably, an associated belief system. When we look at a business perspective, we are looking at a monetary base values system and beliefs. When we look at a human perspective, it is a more social value system and its associated beliefs
Happiness is relative, isn’t it? The things that you were happy about at 10 or 18 or even last week, don’t seem to ring so loud in your happiness arsenal anymore do they? I mean the basics may still do. Like baby laughing or flowers in the spring. The sun coming out after a very groggy, gloomy weekend of rain. Old friends, maybe?
I’ve been super lucky in my years on this planet. I can honestly say that with as much trial I’ve experienced in my relatively short life, I’ve known just as much happiness, joy and triumph. I would venture to say that my trial to triumph ratio is just shy of 50/50—with my knowing a smidge more triumph than trial and feeling a lot more joy than jadedness.
I say that’s lucky because, I’ve known some people who look at their lives and see nothing but pain and yuck and mess. We might look in on their lives like flies on their walls and see a completely different picture. We may see their fabulous house, great family, health, wealth and well-being. We may even ogle a bit at their particular brand of luck and be more than a smidge jealous at all they’ve “got”. But to ask them how they’re doing and you can all but see the pain in their eyes and the sorrow creeping through their skin like ghosts. You all but run from their fake smiles and augmented everything.
That someone above might look at me and not see much. I don’t own my own home. I’m not married. I drive what some may call a “hooptie” (hey, she’s paid for). I have a few nickels to rub together, but honey; those nickels ain’t what they used to be. I am far from having it all, and to ask me how I’m faring in this life? I’m brimming with possibility! I have everything I could ever want and so much more on the horizon! My glass is always topped off and I ain’t nowhere near full yet! Bring. It. On. All of it. Cause I want it. You know what else? I’ll have it. Whatever I want, I do have AND have always had whatever I want. I know, It makes no sense, does it?
I have lived with virtually nothing—just about homeless. I have lived with virtually everything—just about homeless. My life has run the gamut from penniless to abundance and even through my roughest times, I’ve been able to say out loud that I am happy with myself and my life. Whatever I need to have I will have and whatever I need to do, I will do. Of course, it’s far more complicated to say it when something rotten is happening. My optimism, however, is ever present–no matter what is going on in my life at the time. No matter what it looks like to somebody outside of my life looking in. I always have everything I ever need. I also always keep room for more.
I’m not a bible quoting soul. For all intents and purposes, I’m a simple spirit who has grown to appreciate the journey of my life and all of the things I’ve been able to learn through out my course so far. One of the greatest things I’ve learned is the power of gratitude. And the joy that comes from learning the lesson.
Every trial we face is meant to teach us something important about ourselves. It could be resolve. Creativity. Grace under pressure. Power, strength, motivation. Drive. It could be to trust ourselves and the process. It could be to trust our leaps of faith. It could be all about developing our intuition. It could be the true nature of love. Patience.
I’ve discovered also that the real reason I’ve enjoyed my share of triumph over trials is something so simple, it’s almost laughable. It’s my perspective. I have joy because I want to have it. I feel abundant because I want to feel that way. I am blissfully happy most days because I choose to be blissful. No matter where I am and what I’m doing and who I’m with. My perspective brings me peace in the eye of every storm and a youthful agility when everyone around me is complaining about their backs and knees and what not. Perspective is exactly what you put into it. Exactly.
There is one more thing, and this is the key to a bliss filled life, I believe. I have a very short “pain” memory. I have so many good times to chew on, mostly, because I choose not to hold on the bad ones. I simply learn from them, maybe write a blog about them, let them go, and find something amazing to do with my thinking. Dig that.
The moral of this story? Who the heck knows. Just some food for thought. Thank you for reading this though. Peace and abundant “you got this” blessings. –e-