Perspective


POST TEN!

I thought I’d try to be clever—do something really awesome and celebratory for 10 posts…but come on. Maybe when I hit 100…

Today, I will be visiting the beach—back in Egypt…

…totally and completely in my mind.

In reality, I will be getting a ridiculous amount of allergy shots.

How many?

Let’s just say they said to “allow 4-6 hours”. Wa Wa Waaaa….

Hopefully I will be able to study somehow—make it some good quality time with “my pal Hal” (Blummenfield…the author of our neuro book).

I’ve thought about this before when I worked for a breast surgical oncologist (aka a breast cancer doctor). 

But sitting around on this side of things, getting stuck for hours, really makes me have new-found respect for people who undergo such things regularly. Dialysis, chemo, multiple surgeries…

Chances are you know someone that has needed such treatment.

It’s not easy.

Not only do you have to take off work to get what you need to survive, it usually wipes you out for a while— even 3 allergy shots every 15 minutes is nothing compared to that…

I know that at the end of my shots, I’m going to be better. Not everyone does.

I guess sometimes it requires perspective. (You’ll find that I like to define things…)

Perspective- a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view; true understanding of the relative importance of things; a sense of proportion

 

There are really two things I’m getting out of this whole thought process.

 1. How are you choosing to view your life? What perspective are you choosing to have?

Oftentimes, it could be worse.

You’re on a computer right now….that means you have access to it…which is more than some people can say.

Sure, it’s ok to be frustrated. Sure it’s ok to even gripe about it sometimes.

But let yourself gripe for 10 minutes, blow off some steam, and then suck it up. Realize how truly good you have it.

Understand the relative importance of what you’re going through compared to the grand scheme of life—and life beyond Earth…

Work on having that “good sense of proportion”.

It could be worse…just watch the news.

2. How compassionate are you when dealing with people?

Different situations affect people differently. There are times that someone is extremely hurt by something that would be very easy for someone else to blow off.

I say this because I’m really bad about it.

But maybe they’ve never dealt with that before. Maybe it’s just been a really rough week…rough month…rough year?

And this isn’t just for those of us who are/will be dealing with patients.

What about the school teacher who has parents that they just can’t stand?
What is their home situation? Financial? Health?

What about that client or that boss that has you running around in circles all day and is never satisfied?
Why are they that way? Are they even happy in their own life?

What about the waiter who just isn’t doing such a good job?
Is he/she slacking off because they would rather be talking to their significant other? Or is his/her mind somewhere else because of a tragic happening?

You aren’t the only one that has bad days…

There are definitely times that boundaries must be laid down. You may have to have a not so pleasant talk with those parents or turn down a client or distance yourself from an unhealthy situation.

But we can at least have some perspective.

And that perspective can allow us to be more compassionate.

In summary—Take the time to listen to people. Gain some perspective. Operate with compassion.

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”


3 responses to “Perspective”

  1. Thanks! Today’s post brought to my memory a line from an older movie. It says, …if you see someone without a smile, give them yours’…Some might recognize it, it comes from the movie Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. A line from the head Madame played by Dolly Parton. It reminds me we can learn from anyone, if we truly listen with an open heart and mind, Balaam did-just by listening to a donkey.

    • You figured it out! And yes. Sometimes shutting our mouths and getting off of our high horse can teach us more than always talk, talk, talking…even when it seems like it’s just a donkey.

      My mother, ladies and gentlemen. 🙂

  2. Have an attitude of gratitude! I get to work – I may have grumpy clients but if they didn’t need me, I wouldn’t have a job. I can walk through my day in peace and serenity because it’s just “the world” and doesn’t affect the inner me, the me God works with and through to reach those I meet every day. I used to let people affect me…now, I try to figure out why they act the way they do. I stay calm and reassuring and they don’t know how to react so they calm down and we get the work done we need to. And, at the end of the day, I NOW let it go…knowing there will always be more work than I can handle in one day but my work is not my life. And I turn my attention to the other important needs in my life – my family, my friends, my faith.