Every moment is a new beginning and a chance for new perspective. No, that isn’t what I learned today – that is one of my life philosophies that I try to live by (in the moments that I remember to anyway). I am not a fully enlightened person or a guru or a prophet. I am a loving, curious, flawed human being that sometimes makes mistakes and will make sure I never stop learning.
Yes, I know; sometimes I say things like “you are PERFECT just the way you are”…and here I am; a flawed person telling you how perfect you are. It can sound confusing unless you know the other belief behind it. See…I am perfect too – even with all of my flaws, shortcoming and things that I have yet to learn. Apparently I do not subscribe to the Webster definition of Perfect…which is pretty darn unattainable. What exactly is the point in that? I think we were all raised with enough feelings of inadequacy to go looking for more as adults. It may be just a healthy rebellion to refuse to carry shame for my flaws and to have the audacity to believe that I am exactly where I need to be at any given moment…but whatever the reason, it is working for me and I choose to keep it.
I enjoy being a work in progress.
So, here is what I learned today: This is not Earth shattering, and is likely not to change your life – but I am hoping it will be of service –
When the neighbors have a loud pool party on a lovely Sunday afternoon and I am home alone, then my first reaction is to feel left out (my neighbors are very good at having a good time). I recognize this less than optimal feeling and stop to remember that the neighbors and I are friends and that if I want to go to the party, all I have to do is walk next door and be welcomed in. Then I realize that I was completely enjoying the alone time prior to hearing the festivities and suddenly feel curious to how hearing other people laughing on the other side of the wall can damper the good thing I had going. I choose to stay put and be happy with myself. Perhaps I will go next time (this is a regular occurrence next door). I learned that I am perfectly happy in either place as long as I choose to be. The sound of laughter from the next yard now sounds more like music than the sound of missing out.
The realization that I had is that lessons in choosing your perspective sometimes have to be practiced and reinforced over and over before they really stick. Just because you have to stop, think, choose and redirect yourself doesn’t mean you didn’t learn the lesson; it just means you are human and you will have a human response. What you do with it is the lesson.
Enjoy your experience!
