Monday, May 2, 2011

Take a New Look

new perspective

Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect.  It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.  -unknown

The other day I took the boys, a sack lunch, a ball and a blanket to the park.  We walked around the pond, played on the swings and then spent well over an hour soaking up the sun (with SPF 40!) on a blanket.  I snapped this shot while lying down and I couldn't help but observe what happens when I change my perspective on things.

Had I not taken the time to lie down I may have never noticed the view above me. Looking up made me realize that there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  It reminded me that there's only one sun, and even though we are miles apart, we all receive rays from the same source.  And it helped me let go of any "to do" lists in my mind because in that moment nothing else mattered but breathing and laughing and being with my little humans.

Sometimes we have to slow way down, even lie down, to see something afresh.  And seeing things in a different light, from a totally new perspective, can help us think a new thought.  Did you know we think over 60,000 thoughts a day?  And I bet many of us are repeating the same old (mostly negative) thoughts.  Sometimes the only way to break free of these old thoughts is to stop and take a new look, because there's always another view.

Your Personal Reflection: Give yourself 5 minutes today to slow down, or even lie down, and notice your thoughts.  What are you thinking about?  Is it time to think a new thought?  Embrace your imperfections and allow yourself to see something in a whole new way.    

8 comments:

  1. Wise advice! I agree - both a change of perspective and slowing down to take notice can work wonders.

    Kat X

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  2. Thanks, Kat. Hope you enjoy a nice, slow kind of day. xo

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  3. Boy do I love you and your words of wisdom!! I know exactly what you mean. I didn't exactly slow my physical pace but I slowed my mental pace on the way home from school drop-off. Listened to some awesome New Orleans jazz and just thought-boy does it help!

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  4. i love how little ones force us to slow down. one of the perks of motherhood esp. if you're lucky enough to be able to stay home with them. i remember how much harder that was as a working mother. ezra's been in his jammies all day today - it's well in the afternoon. and i think sometimes we all need a day like that.

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  5. I have such love for each of you.

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  6. Shannon - this is exactly what I needed to read today. Thanks for caring so much about everyone...I wish we were neighbors!! =)

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  7. I missed you while you were gone and then kept missing coming over when you posted--but I just got to read a burst of Shannon-wisdom all at once. :)

    New perspective, finding peace with my now...that's what I was seeking when I went for my magical walk with my daughter last Friday. Reading this post was like revisiting that intention.

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Thanks for sharing!