Change How You See

Life is meant to flow and meander here and there seemingly without purpose and yet, there is always a reason for everything that comes into our life. From time to time, we may find ourself stuck, firmly rooted in adversity with obstacles constantly flowing into our life. Normally overcoming these is a good thing as it helps us move forward and gain confidence in our self.

But what happens when the challenges seem to have become a way of life rather than an occasional test to keep you from stagnating? Maybe you are being shown your current path has outlived its purpose and has taken you as far as it is meant to. But since you have been on it for so long, it may be hard to envision any other way forward. The answer may simply lie in changing the way you look at things.

Not long ago, a very special little fella who happens to be my grandson, became my teacher when he inadvertently demonstrated this exact concept. He and I were running around the island in their kitchen with me constantly several feet in front of him. Everything was fine for a short period of time, but then he started to get bored. As soon as he did, I immediately poked my head above the counter keeping it there until he saw me and once he had, I ducked back down. Immediately he perceived that we were playing a game and his whole demeanor changed.

His little legs sped up as he now raced around the counter. Laughter flowed from him and filled the room because now he was having fun. We had gone from him chasing me to a game of him trying to catch me. Nothing had changed except the way he was looking at what we were doing. Shortly after rounding another corner I stopped and waited for him to catch me. It wasn’t long before he laughingly threw his arms around my neck in a hug.

The instantaneous change he had gone through had been fascinating to watch. Small children rarely have preconceived notions on how people should act or how things should be, so they are generally more open and adapt easily. What a life lesson to learn, especially from someone so young and precious, no prejudice on my part obviously.

Not long after, I read the book, “Manifesting Change” by Mike Dooley. In it he mentions how we often close doors and only look at things one way, rather than being open to whatever may come into our life. We expect things to happen in a certain way and when they don’t, we become upset with ourselves, with others and with life in general, further closing even more doors. Some people would love to become millionaires and live the life of their dreams. Yet for many, their first and only action is to buy a lottery ticket thinking this is the only way they could ever become rich. What they fail to realize is that by thinking and acting this way, they are effectively closing off any other possibility of it happening.

It never crosses their mind that maybe they are meant to write a best-selling book or open a business that provides a much-needed service. Or they could take action in other areas of their lives by understanding what they are truly passionate about and following that.

So, between my adorable grandson and Mike Dooley I was shown a very valuable life lesson. I know I have prevented things from taking place in my life because I didn’t understand I could look at situations differently. Or if I did understand, often I refused to shift my perception. Now I plan on living life to the fullest by scaling every mountain, crossing every wobbly bridge, following every adventure and splashing through every stream that comes my way. For underneath one of the rocks I turn over, I may find a treasure to share. Or somewhere along my journey, I may spend time with someone whose storytelling inspires me to keep following my dreams and my passions.

How precious it is to know that a tiny pair of feet that first ran after me and then ran to catch me, was the inspiration to walk this path.