It's All A Matter Of Perspective

While driving home form work the other day, I saw a woman walking down the street wearing shorts.  It was in the 40s in Erie, Pa. after an extremely cold winter.  This winter we had temperatures as low as -20 degrees with wind chill factors as low as -38 degrees.  So 40 degrees feels REALLY good.

I immediately thought about my son and his girlfriend who live in LA.  They've had 80 degree weather already this year and they certainly haven't had any negative temperatures.  We've "face timed" with them when they've had sweatshirts  and sometimes even blankets on.  We'll ask what the temperature is.  They'll tell us it's really cold... 62 degrees.  To them it IS really cold.  They're used to good weather.  It's LA after all.  For us, that's practically beach weather.. especially after this winter.  It's all a matter of perspective.

I've been going to Weight Watchers and have lost 30 pounds.  I want to lose more, but I think I look pretty darn good.  But for someone meeting me for the first time, I probably look like a heavy woman.  It's all a matter of perspective.

I just turned 63 years old.  Thirty years ago, a 63 year old person was old.  My grandkids probably see me as an old lady.  But I don't feel old.  I feel young, energetic and ready for another 63 years.  It's all a matter of perspective.

I could go on and on with example after example, but my point is we all have different perspectives and different life experiences.  And we only "see" the world from our perspective.  We should try to broaden our perspective and try to be more understanding of other's perspectives.  For example, don't be quick to judge that heavy set woman wearing a short skirt or a two piece bathing suit.  Maybe she was 300 pounds and lost 100 pounds.  To her and her family, she looks like a model.  It's all a matter of perspective.

Don't be quick to judge anyone or anything.  We don't know their story.  We don't know their experience.  We don't know their perspective.  We should try to change OUR perspective.  We should strive to be more inclusive, more loving, more caring. and more compassionate toward others.  We CAN change our world.  It's all a matter of perspective.

Love,  Paula