Perspective

Motivation - Perspective 

What we see depends mainly on what we look for. John Lubbock

The word perspective is derived from the Latin perspectivus which means optical and also from Latin perspicere, to look closely.  If you say you need to ‘gain some perspective,’ you mean that you need to gain some objectivity or to look at the situation from an unbiased standpoint.

There are many influences on our perspective in life.  They include our past experiences, our assumptions and our expectations.  Your education and your childhood upbringing play a role in how we see things.  Individual character traits, self-concept, culture and faith all influence our perspective.

Perspective helps us to understand situations from other positions and to consider other beliefs, experiences and viewpoints.  The expression ‘Let’s keep things in perspective’ means making an accurate rating of what is important and what is not.  When we consider other points of view we gain a better understanding and greater empathy.  Perspective reduces bias, judgement and conflict.  

Seeing things from another person’s perspective helps you to understand things in a different light.  It opens up the path for a lot more understanding and tolerance.  

Shifting your perspective isn’t an easy process but by changing perspective we can gain greater insights.  Changing perspective is a healthy exercise if we want to be empathetic, rational and more compassionate.

There are things you can do to improve your perspective.  Choose humility.  Nothing ruins perspective like ego.  Discipline your mindset.  Reframe your thoughts.  Remember your thoughts influence the way you view the world. Think from a macro level.  Look at the whole picture and view situations from a different perspective.  Remove negativity from your life, take care of your body, elevate gratitude and admit when you are wrong.  

What we see depends mainly on what we look for. John Lubbock

Sir John Lubback was an English banker, biologist, archaeologist and politician.

The way we look at things affects the decisions that we make.  Watch how you look at things.  If you can expand how you look at things you will be in a better position in all areas of your life and make better decisions.  

# living life abundantly    # published author   # travelling tuesdays