In a modern-day era full of challenges, uncertainties, and negativity- often enhanced by the media- the lens in which we chose to look at our short-comings can determine our overall quality of life. Perspective, and the way we choose to interpret our individual experiences, holds an immense amount of power over our happiness and decision-making.
One of my favorite quotes is: “It is a narrow mind which cannot look at a subject from various points of view.” As a matter of fact, that sentiment is what inspired me to write this. When I got home from school earlier, I collapsed on the floor of my mom’s office and immediately began to whine about how I was too tired to walk upstairs to my room to start my homework. When I finally got up and started to go to my room, it struck me out of nowhere how fortunate I am to live the life that I do every day. Every aspect of my day-to-day routine is a gift. I get to walk up the stairs of my three-story house, that my mom pays for, into my own bedroom full of things I can call my mine. I get to work on homework and help the advancement of my education, something so many people wish for and can never have. Even the act of walking is a privilege; I spent my entire sophomore year recovering from an injury and being unable to do so, yet I got to recover from that. Regardless of the frustrations I face at school, I am lucky enough to be able to overcome them. With that perspective, the fact that I had been complaining profusely just moments before felt so unbelievably ridiculous.
It is my firm belief that every setback can have a silver lining if it’s approached from the right angle. Two people may experience the same thing, and come out of it with completely different perspectives on the event. For example, a pair could both experience the end of a relationship. While one of those people may let the heartbreak take them over and consume them, focused solely on the negative, the other could look at it as an opportunity for personal growth. The difference in these two viewpoints does not lie in the event itself, but in the reactions it had to it.
I understand that consistently choosing to adopt the positive side of a situation may not always come easily. Emotions are not a choice, and sometimes the events life throws at us can truly become too much. However, something I have always said to my friends is that you cannot help your feelings, but you can help how you react to them. Becoming intentional with your reactions is indisputably crucial to this process. Let’s use the example of one of life’s nastiest emotions: jealousy. When there are two people in competition for the same thing, one will always come out on top. That’s just a simple fact of life. When trying to process a loss, such as in this scenario, the overwhelming feeling of jealousy can often not be avoided, and it can be easy to let that cloud your vision. This is where that intentionality comes into play. Those emotions, while absolutely brutal, do not excuse lashing out. There’s always the option to step back, assess, and realize that someone else’s success is not your failure. Making the choice to not take that outlook is always the fault of the individual. Picking that other lens and making the conscious decision to view challenges as an opportunity to grow and demonstrate empathy can foster a much more fulfilling life.
As we try to navigate the complexities of life in a society as polarizing as is modern day, it is key to embrace the true power of perspective. There will always be challenges everywhere you turn, but the way we see the world can shape our experiences in so many ways. The goal is to foster an outlook that uplifts ourselves, rather than let challenges become all-consuming. In simply our shifting lenses, we can create a transformative and informative quality of life for not only ourselves but our communities as well.
