Changing Views

Have you ever noticed that perspective changes everything? Here is an example. My son, Rob, graduated from high school last weekend. What a joyous occasion! I am so proud of him. Rob was number six in his class of about 258 seniors. Very impressive. There was a valedictorian, then four seniors who tied for salutatorian. Each of those top five students gave a speech at the graduation ceremony. As we were talking about graduation this evening, Rob referred to himself as the "Valedictorian of the Non-Speech Givers". I love that! What a positive attitude and a great way to look at something that was already good.

Now I am pondering how I can incorporate this way of thinking into my own life. Instead of viewing 2010 as the year when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, perhaps I should think of it as the year when I became a cancer survivor and developed a renewed appreciation for life. Rather than thinking of 2010 as the year when my husband left our 28 year marriage, perhaps I can choose to think of it as the year when I was given the opportunity to start a new chapter in my life, a chapter that is filled with endless possibilities. Does making the decision to change my way of thinking mean that I live in the world of denial and never have a rough day? Absolutely not! It is just a conscious effort to develop a new perspective regarding a situation that has not changed.

"I look across my life and see so many storms. I look across Your love and see only horizons."

Yes, it is all in how we choose to look at the situation. I am going to work on this one.