A message from Sandy. Still working on gaining perspective…….me too.  I think volunteering would be a great way to change the way you look at things. There are countless people all over the world that are in need of assistance. Volunteering allows you to  use your time and energy to perform a selfless act that simply helps someone else. However, I don’t believe that volunteering is completely selfless, in fact I would argue that becoming a volunteer is a wonderful way to gain perspective in your own life. It is a unique way that gives you a very pure opportunity to connect with people who you may have not met otherwise. I am always surprised by how much I learn about myself through relationships I would have never forged if I hadn’t volunteered my time (or stepped out of my comfort zone to talk to a stranger). “Giving back” reaps perspective.

Or try watching little kids play for a while, if you tune in and become really aware, you will see that all little kids act with a similar reckless abandon. They simply do what they want to do. Aside from being hilarious, I believe there is a serious lesson in perspective to be learned. Remember you were once just like these little people, but as we get older we have gotten away from acting with such a care-free attitude and have become “a serious, responsible adult.” As you are watching them, ask yourself——”Wouldn’t it feel great to be like that again–even if only for a while?”

Gaining perspective in your life is an important exercise that we must purposely develop. We all have very real problems and situations to deal with; some are in our control, while others are note. The only thing we really have control of is our emotions when dealing with situations. Gaining perspective is a wonderful tool for sustaining a meaningful and fulfilling life!