Today I found myself thinking about point of view… and how point of view can really have an effect on us. What amazes me most about point of view is the reality that so often we do not realize that we can change the direction we face and find that we are in a different situation altogether.
This is what I find so fascinating about point of view – it is not just about being able to see life as a glass that is either half empty or half full, it is being able to look in different directions and see with new lenses. When I think of the views from my apartment, I can look out one window and see a barren dirt lot that is not very impressive or exciting, or I can look out another window and see gorgeous flowers in bloom. One view can make me depressed and the other can lift my mood and make me happy. Yet, I have to remember which window to look out. Sometimes I wonder if things can be that easy (they cannot always be, but perhaps sometimes they can be).
I also wonder what may happen if I am able to see beyond my own beliefs and perceptions in any situation I may encounter. If I am struggling with a colleague, if I am able to step out of my shoes and into theirs, is it possible that I may be able to find resolution quicker? I think this is a critical skill for us all to practice. And I believe if we are open to seeing things differently, we also open ourselves up to infinite life possibilities that we would have been denied.
Today, 262 days ’til 40, I am going to continually challenge myself to see through different lenses.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
buckwheatsrisk
June 4, 2012 at 00:33
what an awesome perspective that is! thank you for causing me to really think! i hope it works out with your colleague!
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 07:33
Thanks! 🙂
glutenfreehappytummy
June 4, 2012 at 00:57
beautiful post. that is so true — and it’s important to challenge ourselves to see things differently. thanks for sharing!
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 07:33
🙂
jensine
June 4, 2012 at 01:02
well I love the windows 🙂 and yes point of view is so subjective and should be changed whenever possible
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 07:33
Me too – thank you!
jensine
June 4, 2012 at 11:02
🙂
Anonymous
June 4, 2012 at 01:48
Beautifully articulated one again. This reminds me of the sub-title to my book “The Walk.” It reads “Discover your life purpose, by exercising the courage to question – everything!” It is simply amazing how one’s point of view on certain matters are realized by rote, that is, they were “handed down” rather than being personally determined through careful challenging, questioning, testing.
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 07:33
Thank you! I like the subtitle to your book!
Katie
June 4, 2012 at 01:53
Another great point from a great blog. I have found that most conflicts can be avoided or resolved when I am able to stop myself, step back, and change my perspective-stand in their shoes.
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 07:32
Thank you! Yes, you are so right!
fowlerfam4
June 4, 2012 at 09:31
that dirt lot sounds like a great place to play kick ball with kids! 😉 I guess that could be another perspective. Seeing the “ugly beautiful” as a different kind of beautiful. This whole idea reminds me of Anne Voskamp. Have you seen her blog yet? amazing!!! I think it is http://www.aholyexperience.com Or google Anne Voskamp. 🙂
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 15:33
Yes, definitely! Thanks for the link to a great blog!!! 🙂
Charles L. Mashburn
June 4, 2012 at 14:07
Another excellent post! My motto for life in general is, “Look at the Good stuff!” When dealing with people in a bad or uncomfortable situation, I try to remember that they might be going through something in their life that is causing them to be unfriendly, angry, or whatever the case may be. When you’re up to your neck in alligators, it’s hard to remember to drain the swamp.
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 23:27
Thank you, Charles! Your motto is so important and we all could learn by doing this…. like you said, it is hard sometimes to remember this when we are in the thick of life’s frustrations… but when we can pause and remember to change our view it can help a situation immensely. Thanks for the great comment!
Capt. Savage
June 4, 2012 at 16:53
Keep it up, love your ongoing narrative!!
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 23:04
Thanks so much!
viveka
June 4, 2012 at 17:34
Point of view … a fine line to walk on. Think you should stay in your shoes and maybe pass by the colleague – we can’t love everybody and sometimes is better not pretend they are there – and just be so polite as the circumstances ask for. Have a feeling that most of us that lives in an apartment has one wonderful side and one ugly.
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 23:02
You are so right about it being a fine line… it goes back to that balance that I often write about. Yes, we can and should look at the point of view of others, but we also need to make sure not to lose ourselves in the midst of everything.
viveka
June 4, 2012 at 23:27
…. I think that if we are aware of this fine line… we are okay with where we are standing and not getting lost.
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 23:28
Good point!
simplcity
June 4, 2012 at 17:54
Happy Monday! You have been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by simplecityliving.wordpress.com! Check it out here: http://simplecityliving.wordpress.com/2012/06/04/versatile-blogger-award/
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 23:01
Wow, simplicity, thank you so much for thinking of me! What a compliment! 🙂 Thanks for making me smile today!
saymber
June 4, 2012 at 19:32
Great advice and challenge 400! When we lived in a “ghetto” apartment complex the first couple years we were married we always found what was beautiful about it. When we look back at pictures we took we don’t see the ghetto…we found the flowers, lovely fall trees and streams.
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 23:01
Thank you for sharing such a great example from your own time in a run down apartment. This is such a good illustration of what I was writing about!
thepeerless
June 4, 2012 at 20:48
Hey mate, had you not liked my post 50-25-25, I couldn’t have landed on your blog, which I feel is awesome. I am still new into blogging and would love learn many things from you. Already subscribed to your blog. 🙂
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 22:59
Thanks so much for your compliment! I am glad I stopped by your blog and how kind of you to stop by mine! I wish you the best in your new blogging adventure!
anitalok
June 4, 2012 at 22:41
Great post! I completely agree with you about being able to think in another box. I think it is certainly something that’s hard to do because people hold on so tightly to their beliefs and values that we hardly come to question it or challenge it. Plus, if we did, then we would no longer be inside our own “comfort” zone. It’s a hard thing to do but I think if people are aware and open to it, they can atleast attempt to “think outside the box”, and in return, it will help!
400daystil40
June 4, 2012 at 22:55
Yes, you are so correct and challenging ourselves to step outside our comfort zone is not easy!
speakerofyearnings
June 5, 2012 at 00:44
This post reminds me of a great movie I saw recently, People V The State of Illusion. I highly recommended you see it, I think you’ll see exactly why I recommended it to you!
http://thestateofillusion.com/
400daystil40
June 5, 2012 at 07:57
I will have to look up the movie – thank you for the recommendation!
narf77
June 5, 2012 at 07:38
I think that “Point of view” is all to do with life experience. Often, we change our point of view when we are able to gain more information or knowledge about a subject. We tend to start of with a gut feeling point of view that is based on our parents ideals but once we get older we can start to inject our own personal slant. I agree that its entirely able to be manipulated and this was a very interesting and thought provoking post, cheers 🙂
400daystil40
June 5, 2012 at 07:58
Yes, that is such a good point….. and those of us with more varied life experiences do tend to be much more flexible and more able to shift our point of view as needed.