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Thursday, February 22, 2007

It's all about perspective


With so much of what we do, so much of what we experience in our lives, it all comes down to perspective.

Over the past few weeks, I have changed some of my perspective on things, important things like myself, my life, my choices, my feelings, my soul...

Maybe sometimes we feel like we are stuck because we are not looking at things properly, or are still looking at things the same way. Thanks to your wonderful comments on the previous post, I can see that everything always depends on how you look at things. How you see the world.

I stumbled across this blog, Courage my Love, today and read a post that made me cringe a little when I realized what "City of Angels" she was talking about. Read on:

"When they ask me what I liked best, I'll
tell them it was you." City of Angels

Yesterday morning I woke up, grabbed my camera and
skipped out into the beckoning day to
search for poetry before brunch. This statue
caught my eye as she has such striking wings - they
look like hands and are so expressive.
I discovered a dusty little cafe with sunlight
that streamed through the old floor-to-ceiling
windows framed with purpled velvet theatre
curtains. I saw a couple standing at a crosswalk
- the girl kissed the man on his neck and he turned
to burrow into her as the light changed to green
and they did not withdraw from their embrace to cross.
I noticed the sun fell all about them but on the other
side of the street was the cool morning shade.
I found a strange little shop with Moroccan treasures
in this window and when I went down the little winding
steps to the bright red door there was a note that said
" sorry - gone for tea and toast please call me on
my cell if you would like to join me."

The morning felt like a small and perfect beginning so
i decided it was the first day of the rest of my life.


While reading this splendid post, I couldn't help but feel envious. Where is this city she talks about? Why don't I have dusty little cafes and moroccan trinket shops where I live? Why does what I want always seem to be elsewhere?

It wasn't elsewhere. This was a Vancouver blog and this city she was talking about was my city, the city I sit in right now as I type this and eye the street below my window.

Maybe if I open up my eyes and look around for once, I too will notice that everything I need and want from life is right here. Maybe I won't. But changing your perspective on things, even if it's just in the town you live it, probably won't hurt a bit.

16 comments:

Rachel said...

Sometimes the most beautiful and fascinating things are right in front of you. because you "see" it every day you may not even realize it.
I try hard to remind myself to actually open my eyes and really see what is there. Otherwise life is just a big blur and nothing stands out.

Mark Brown said...

delightful post.
I try and remember to say thank you at least 10 times a day.

I make it a MINIMUM of 5X day to tell my wife I love her!

It's that small thing, that helps everyday.

Indiana said...

Its like recieving a letter that starts "Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life..."

Do you roll over and snuggle down and let the world go by, or do you bound from bed ready to confront the challanges of the day...it's all about choices.

And as for our cities...how many times have you ever been a tourist in your own city? Just got out and explored areas unknown that are only seen as you race by to somewhere else.

The Accidental Bitch said...

Beautiful :) I'm so glad. I feel the same way all the time and it's wonderful, isn't it?

Southern Sweetheart said...

Hi, new here. Wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading this post. You're right, it IS all about perspective. I've realized this tidbit of info a lot lately and it has made a definite difference in my life.

Good luck to you.

Rachel said...

wow. this is such a good lesson. what a beautiful description of a morning! i'm glad it made you realise that you can have what you want where you are.

i need to learn that too!

Sean said...

excellent post. when we were growing up i moved around tons. everytime we moved i'd be homesick for the place we just left. by the time i finally opened up my eyes to what was around me we were getting ready to move again. took awhile for me to realize that i really needed to start enjoying the here and now.

there's alot to be said for going on vacation in your own city. buying some tour guides if you're that sort, spending a weekend in a hotel in the city so you're not distracted by phone calls and chores around the house and just going and doing.

you seem like the adventurous type, as well as the "there's no such thing as strangers, just friends i haven't met" type. i think it'll be fun to read about your adventures in your own town now.

A Novelist said...

Great advice and good post! :)

Sipwine said...

And then there is Indiana...
About the only interesting thing here is a two-ear cornstalk ...
Maybe I should get a better perspective.

M said...

I love finding the beauty in everyday things. Some people can do that and others won't. It's the same with finding beauty in all people or peace in a chaotic situation. Perspective is an interesting thing..

wee-h said...

I suggest you read Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino...! It gives you a great perspective of how to look at your own city.

Great blog btw, im a mate of Kats - i met you very briefly over xmas :D

BecsLifeOnline said...

Great post! It's all too easy to miss what's staring you in the face sometimes. And you're right, perspective IS everything. What you see and the way you see it may not be exactly the same for the next person. But the most important thing is what that something means to you when you view it in your own way.

simon said...

sometimes its a fine line to being "in the groove" or in "a rut".

just a matter of how you look at it.

Steph said...

I don't remember who said it, maybe it was Gibran, but anyway, it's something about people searching everywhere to find their fortune, not realising it was in their own backyard "If they but look for it".

Very true.

Wanderlusting said...

Rache - That is so true. I often have days in which I literally feel like I can't focus my eyes and everything goes past like a blur.

Mark - Very sweet and very important.

Indy - I agree. And though I have gone and done the tourist route in the city, it's quite superficial. I want to really explore the neighbourhoods I usually drive past.

TAB - Yes, but look at NYC. You could forever be living there and still always find something new.

Southern - Welcome and thank you. I can't see how it wouldn't make a difference and I am glad it worked for you.

Rachel - It definitely helps...and though I know that this is not where I want to be in the long run, it will help me enjoy it while I am here.

Sean - I have done the touristy route before, to the point that it bores me. But on a smaller level, exploring smaller neighbourhoods and hidden gems, that is something I want to look into. I'll be sure to let you know about my adventures...even if it composes of just pigeons pooping on me.

Novelist - Glad you liked it :D

Sipwine - Exactly...when I think of Indiana (not the blogger), I have a romantic notion
of cornstalks waving in the breeze, all golden against the dark, thunderclouds. To me, Indiana is appealing because it's not like anything here. It's different.

M - True. You can do it if you choose to and it makes all the difference. Sometimes it is easier to not "see."

Weehoppe - I remember you! Xmas Eve in Aberdeen! Glad you like the blog and I'm def going to look into that book, it sounds wonderful.

Becs - Exactly, you make it your own.

simon - True. But I am in a rut. At least I was, but now I see it might have been a neccesary rut, one that I am slowly comin out of.

Steph - The important thing is to look for it. I doubt it's in my backyard but even little things can lead you elsewhere.

Cupcake Blonde said...

Changing your perspective is very good advice...something I shuld consider doing since I have been so down lately. A change would do me good as well.