A matter of perspective

by Ellen Sichel

Our lives are filled with occurrences that do not go as planned.  These unplanned situations usually are more of an inconvenience than a life-threatening problem, yet we often react with anger and frustration.

The following illustrates simple tools I used to help me shift my perspective after one such unplanned situation.

It was a beautiful day and I decided to eat my lunch outdoors. I walked out to my patio with a full plate, ready to enjoy my lunch.  Before I sat down, I felt something wet drop on my head.  Sure enough, it was bird poop!

I have heard that when a bird poops land on your head it is a sign of good luck.  I investigated this claim further and here is what I found:

“Many people believe this to be a major sign of wealth coming from heaven. Hence, although it is really yucky and a major inconvenience, when something like this happens to you, take comfort in the fact that this is described as good luck being just around the corner!”

At first, I did not feel very lucky, but after using the tools outlined below I was able to adjust my outlook.

My day is determined by my perspective, not the actual events.

Life brings us many opportunities to decide what our perspective will be.  It is a choice and has a profound effect on our mental, physical and emotional state.  We can take a moment to get centered and bring ourselves back to the here and now.  We can then make the choice to enjoy a calmer, more peaceful state of mind or allow our minds to keep us stuck.

The problem for many of us is that, when the situation arises, before we know it we have gone into reaction.  How can we easily and reliably make the shift needed be able to change our perspective?

Try this:

1. Take a moment to see if you are holding your breath.
2. Notice if you are tensing your neck and shoulders.
3. Feel your feet on the ground and, if you are sitting, feel your contact to the seat beneath you.
4. Relax your belly and without straining take three slow, easy inhalations and exhalations, each time softening your neck and shoulders.
5. Now, review the situation as if you were giving a report, without commentary and see how you can make a choice to see the event differently.

My perspective made the difference in how I experienced the moments after this happened.   If I took it as a personal affront that the bird went out of its way to find my head to poop on, I would have gotten angry from the mess in my hair and on my hand.  Instead I smiled, cleaned myself off and sat down to a wonderful lunch.

Give this a try (you will have many opportunities!) and let me know if and how it shifted your perspective.

 

Editor’s note: Ellen Sichel, of Custom Calm, LTD (www.customcalm.com) currently creates and teaches programs and tools to support patients and caregivers in dealing with pain and stress at the Cancer Support Community at Northside Hospital.  She also is an E-RYT 500 yoga instructor.