Problems and Perspective
In high school I was a real artist, always hanging out in the art room between classes; wanting to learn new techniques and getting feedback back from my art teacher Mr. Bernstein.
I was struggling with perspective on a large painting one day, and I was frustrated; feeling like I would never achieve what I wanted. Mr. Bernstein gave me this advice – he said, “when you need to change your perspective, turn the object upside down and look at it in a mirror.”
It worked!
This is something I’ve carried with me in my whole life. When things get tough, or I can’t find my way through a problem – I remember his advice. Most problems are not objects so I can’t literally turn them upside down and look at it in a physical mirror. Yet I do explore my perspective and find ways to look at problems differently. Often I am surprised to find beauty and potential for growth or new beginnings.
I am reminded of the story of Thomas Edison in the early 1900s. There was a raging fire that was destroying his buildings. It was clear that everything he had was going up in flames. His family stood by his side, watching the flames take over, he knew they’ll never see anything that spectacular again. The shifting from "destructive" to "spectacular" is a beautiful example of a 360 degree perspective shift.
I encourage you today to contemplate and find a new way to look at some of those problems that are looming in your life. Even those problems that seem like massive hills or even mountains.
Can you see that they may be just the ascent you need to lift you to a higher height; it’s allowing you to achieve greater things?
As long as we're here on this earth, we will no doubt encounter “problems or struggles." And one person‘s problems or struggles are very different than somebody else’s. It’s often a very personal thing, and we all need to remember not to take things so personally. Life is happening for us, not to us.
As always, you hold the power.
The power to choose.
QUICK TIPS
Gaur Gopal Das, an Indian lifestyle coach, and member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, provides a guide to overcoming problems.
see challenges as opportunities
smile
accept problems as part of life
make informed and transformed choices
invest in people