Do you ever notice a recurring theme that keeps popping up over and over in your world? I do, sometimes, and I usually take that as a sign that I need to give that idea some thought. For me, right now, it’s perspective. How we look at things has immense power over us and others.
Yesterday I had wonderful lunch conversation with friends about how we talk to our kids. Saying, for example, “Please walk” instead of “Don’t run”. Asking for the positive behavior we would like to see rather than pointing out the negative behavior we don’t want. Pointing out the positive character traits in our children “I appreciate your desire and need for honesty” rather than telling them to stop tattling. All just a matter of perspective.
And then I stumbled across these on twitter this morning:
@TraceePersiko: It just takes a little perspective to make a whole lot of difference.
PsJimmyEvans Two men sat in prison at night looking outside. One saw stars — the other saw bars. We choose our perspective & it determines our destiny.
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Wow, I’m not the only one that God has been talking to about perspective and how I say what I say. I know that if I don’t take time to think before speaking it turns into “open mouth, insert foot” then having to apologize for the inserted foot.
It keeps coming up over and over for me too… Even now that I’m listening!
I saw the prison tweet, too, and thought of the same things that we had talked about. I always love our conversations!
Love our talks too!
Great post! It’s so true that perspective makes a world of difference. Having my children involved in a subjective sport (with judges as the ones who determine who wins or loses) has really helped me keep things in perspective in many way. Even when something seems bad, it often turns out to be just what was needed!
Deb, I think that might be a really hard place to find perspective. Having someone judge your children…? I am inspired by your positive perspective on that. I can’t imagine how hard that might be!