Recently I was on a plane taking off in one of the worst wind storms that our area has seen in awhile. And one thing you need to know about me….is that during turbulence on a flight I am NOT a very good traveler (poor liZ knows this all too well). Anyway there we were in our plane….rocking and rolling in the wind and I was white-knuckled to the seat until it was over. (I am a baby…and I wish I could get over the fear…maybe someday.) But there in the back of the plane were some kids who were just laughing and giggling at every bump and roll that the plane was taking in the wind.
Here I was loathing every minute of the first 20 minutes of the flight…and they were enjoying it.
How could this be?
It was all about perspective.
I have thought about that story a lot lately…and wished that I could be more like those innocent kiddos in the back of that plane. They were enjoying the ride, while I was terrified by it. And as I have thought, I made myself a list of ways to change my perspective (or even complaints ;).
The Art of Homemaking–Perspective
1. Change my focus. Just like the lens of a camera can focus on one tiny detail or a whole big picture….I can change my own focus. Sometimes I need to realize that the tiny things are the here and now and I don’t need to worry about the big picture. And sometimes it’s the opposite. Sometimes I need to focus more on the big picture and not let the tiny details stress me out.
2. Talk a walk. Nature has a way of soothing my soul. It always has…and it can change my perspective in a matter of minutes.
3. Does it really matter? I have found that asking myself it this issue is going to matter in 10 years has helped me change perspective. Most of the time the answer is no. But there are some things that are yeses…and those are what I need to focus on.
How do you keep things in perspective in your life? I would love to hear your ideas….
~Elizabeth
Perspective is a big deal and changes everything. I have to move back (sometimes literally) to see an entire picture in order to change my perspective. And with home making one of the biggest things that helps me is getting out the stop watch. Did I realize it only 10 minutes to mop the floor? In my mind it takes 3 hours at least. It only takes 3 minutes to wipe down the bathroom sink? In my mind, I’m dragging out the cleaners, brushes and rags, along with the mop and broom and I’m cleaning the entire bathroom. No – just wipe down the sink for an instant feeling of clean. Tomorrow, wipe out the bathtup, the next day wipe the toilet. Makes a huge differentce for me.