The Power of Perspective

What lens are you looking through?

Life's a kaleidoscope, ever-changing and full of surprises. We hold the lens, deciding what to focus on.

We can cast judgment, or we can choose empathy.

Imagine this: You're strolling through a bustling market. Do you glare at those who move slowly and stop up the flow or do you wonder about their stories, their struggles unseen?

As a transformation coach, I've witnessed the power of perspective.

When we shift our gaze from judgment to empathy, the world becomes a richer, kinder place. Full stop.

What lens do you look through?

-when on vacation?

-at work, networking, around your neighborhood, at big family gatherings?

It’s amazing how “expanded’ my lens gets when I’m on vacation. I see the full grand sunset. I’m relaxed and the little things roll off my back. I don’t get upset by anyone’s behavior. And yet, I notice how narrow my lens can get in the situations I just named above. How about you?

Having a vacation mindset every day is key!!

You’ve heard of the negativity bias right? Where it’s our default response to find fault and see the negative. ?Let me share a story about using the narrow lens vs. the expansive lens and how it played out in real time for me:

?Years ago, I met a neighbor lady who always withheld sharing about herself and her life but artfully would shift the conversation and turn the focus on me- getting me to share more than I cared to. ?Has that ever happened to you?

In my mind I thought of her as a “fake" because she would greet all the neighbors with an over the top “hi! how are you?” and when asked about her day, kids, or life in general she would throw out an “everything’s fine” response with a big smile. And just leave it at that. It would get under my skin.

Some days it felt like she would even avoid me out on the trail. (taking it personally)

I got hung up on her being a fraud. (being judgmental) But when I applied a simple tool of shifting my perspective and decided to intentionally come from a place of empathy here’s what happened:

The next day at the park, I said to myself as I saw her, “she’s a nice person, I don’t know what’s going on in her life, she’s probably doing the best she can and not sharing for a reason”

I held onto those thoughts, kindly smiling, as we greeted each other. I intentionally shifted my energy.

AND: This was the day she decided to pour her heart out to me!!!

She was getting a divorce. He cheated on her. Her life was a mess.

?I had been so far off looking through the narrow lens of judgement!!!

I witnessed the power of shifting perspectives that day and it’s left an impression on me. Plus, it was a lesson in kindness. You never know what people are going through!! On that day, I let go of having negative thoughts and taking her behavior personally. It was a powerful lesson.

So, how do you see the world?

Through a lens of criticism or one of compassion? Do you look for what’s right, or do you look for what’s wrong?

Who knows what wonders you'll uncover when you choose to see with your heart? ??

As a reminder:

Be kind. Everyone is still healing from the things they don’t speak about. And let it perhaps be your motivator to shift your lens from criticism to one of empathy.

? xxx, Laura

Helping to raise up the positive vibe of the female collective one woman at a time.

#Empathy #ShiftYourPerspective #perspective #bekind #kindnessmatters

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