Found Essay: Life is a Matter of Perspective

 Overtime, “You begin to see the world, not as it is, but as you are.” Author Peter Bennett addresses such points like this as well as others in his essay titled, “Life is a Matter of Perspective.” If you really think about that first quote, I bet you your mind will flip. It seems so innocent, but honestly, stop for just a second…. Do your life, thoughts, and actions seemed to be shaped and influenced loosely by this transparent idea? Perspective is a funny thing, isn’t it? It falls in line with the notion of perception too—and life is all about perception. Bennett goes on to provide another stunning statement, “It’s hard to see the real picture of life when you live inside the frame.” Isn’t that just crazy to think about?!? We are all on a path in life—always moving forward, although at times it may not seem like it. We have to remember to take ourselves out of the “picture” and see at a different angle. Like the famous quote we all have heard too many times claims, “Image yourself in someone else’s shoes.”

In addition, the author also identifies the idea that you cannot take things at face value. People, as well as other miscellaneous objects, events, etc. in life, are not always as they seem. He quotes, “The sun may appear to move across the sky each day, but it’s actually the earth that’s moving.” If we do not continue to seek new, fresh perspectives in life, we soon will not be able to know what’s real—what’s reality. All you have to do is change perception and see the world anew.

Bennett also hints at the idea that “changing your view or changing your perspective can change your life for the better.” For example, here he sheds a new light (a.k.a new perspective) on old topics and issues. Take a look:

Spiritualism: We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

Humor: I’m well balanced. I have a chip on both shoulders.

Recruiting Talent: A baseball scout told the team manager, “I found the greatest pitcher of all time. He struck out 27 guys, only one guy had a foul tip.” The manager said, “Sign the guy who hit the foul ball.”

Yourself: Are you in the way or on the way?

Politics: In 1912, Emmaline Panhurst went to prison 12 times in her fight to gain universal suffrage for women. “We are not here because we are lawbreakers; we are here in our efforts to become lawmakers,” she said.”

Art: “Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth.” – Picasso

Prison: “I felt that I could go and have a vacation,” said Martha Stewart describing her attitude on serving five months in prison, an incarceration that forced her to slow down and smell the roses, even if they were behind barbed wire.

Jail: Ralph Waldo Emerson went to visit his fellow transcendentalist, Henry Thoreau in jail. Thoreau was protesting slavery by refusing to pay a poll tax. “Why are you in there?” Emerson asked. “Why are you out there?” Thoreau replied.

Pessimism: A man asked his rabbi why is it that a slice of bread with butter on it always lands with the buttered side down. The rabbi had never heard this before, so they tried it. The rabbi buttered the bread, dropped it and it landed with the buttered side up. The rabbi pointed to it, and said, “Well?” The man protested, “But rabbi, you buttered the wrong side.” Understand that some sour pusses will never change, so there’s never a need to be angry at them. See what perspective can do.

Sales: Instead of saying, “If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.” Try, “I will follow up with you in two weeks, but in the meantime, feel free to call with any questions.” 

Business: Don’t focus on profits; focus on the factors that produce the profits.

By simply flipping those topics and their perspectives around, they took on a whole new meaning. Just think, if you begin to change your perspective and outlook on life, your whole world will take on a new meaning too. It all lies in your possession and control. After all, it’s your own perception that you are living in.

Article: http://www.laverneonline.com/2010/08/10/life-is-a-matter-of-perspective-an-essay-by-peter-bennett/