Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Perspective

If you’re like me, you have a favorite place in your living or family room where you normally sit while reading, having coffee or watching television. I typically sit in the recliner, Dudley squished in next to me.

Late yesterday afternoon, I was dusting the living room.  I plopped into a chair I seldom sit in and immediately noticed that everything looked strange.  But pleasing.

What was it?

I pondered on it a second or two before realizing I was viewing the living room from a different angle. I was looking at our twin floor-to-ceiling bookcases filled with worn, well-read books, my grandmother's old-fashioned sewing machine, brought alive by the glow of the setting sun, and my favorite English Ivy plant hanging in the corner.  Had I not moved from my comfortable nest, I would not have noticed those things. I knew they were there, but I wasn’t really seeing them.  

I suddenly realized life is like that. If you always settle in the same spot, and look at things in the same way, everything becomes mundane.  Soon, you cease to notice anything at all.  But if you move from familiar, comfortable places and become conscious of, appreciate, and reflect on things that usually go unnoticed, you will find yourself looking at life from a whole new perspective.

2 comments:

judy said...

Dear Brenda, So true! In the last 6 months my life has become a whole cornucopia of constant change- and though some of them are tough, I do really appreciate every thing I can do or share. Not that I didn't before, but I think with renewed concentration on what is most important and means the most. Right now, our weather is simply supurb, and it is hard not to stay outside and appreciate every sight and smell and wisp of breeze that foats by. And all the friends and family that forever warm my life. You said it so well in your dusting ( OMG- Dusting!) piece. I always find something of value in your writing. Thank for sharing. ♥ ♥ ♥

Brenda said...

Thank YOU for your kind words, Judy. The older I get, the more I appreciate what I used to think were the little things. Take care, dear friend...

All words and pictures © 2008 Brenda G. Wooley