MY PERSPECTIVE

One recent early morning, I went for a run, leaving my West Hollywood apartment and gliding up the hill on Crescent Heights toward Hollywood. 

I hit the famed Sunset Boulevard, and for no real reason, I found myself turning right, then almost skidded to a stop when I saw what was in front of me.

It was the most glorious sunrise I’ve ever seen. Maybe it was that I was feeling my vibe and my endorphins, but this morning’s sun made me feel like my guardian angels were singing right in my path, lighting it up, and man, was it going to be a GOOD day. 

And then it hit me: I was watching the sunRISE on SunSET. The sunset could actually be the sunrise, or vice versa, based solely on my perspective. 

Anything can be good or bad - light or dark - simply depending upon how I choose to look at it - again, my perspective.

Yes, I know, I know. Not exactly earth-shattering, and in fact rather simple. But that doesn't mean it’s easy to see things that way. 

Because choice is the centerpiece to all of this. Choosing how we see things, think about things, or speak about things…especially about ourselves or our circumstances. 

And we can go a step further and note in this context how important it is to be aware of how we see things, think about things, and speak about things, and stop negative thoughts in their tracks. 

Tasha Eurich has informed a lot of my thinking about personal and professional development, and I love what she has to say about perspective: 

“One powerful way to change your perspective on what's stressing us out right now is to ask, ‘Will I be worried about this in a month?’ Feeling overwhelmed by the holiday party invites? Ask yourself, ‘Will I still be stressed about this crowded calendar in a month?’ Then, take a breath and do your best.”

A small shift, that’s it. We all have that power. That power is perspective.