So I’m a day late (but NOT a dollar short – think about that common phrase and then eliminate it from your vocabulary – you are NEVER a dollar short….but I digress…already). I should have posted yesterday but I’m still trying to get back in the saddle again after my 314 mile run across Tennessee (see my race report if you want some  fun). I apologize for being late.

I want to say a few words about Perspective. I learned a great deal on my 10 day journey and perspective is one of those things. I will never look at a “mile” in the same way again (by the way, if you’re “dyslexic” in a special sort of way and add an ‘s’ to mile – you could end up with a “s”mile – so put one on your face today!).

As the last day went on, each mile became longer and longer – or so it seemed. And that’s what “perspective” is all about – how things seem. Depending on how you feel that day, whether you’ve got your glasses on, whether you’re in a good mood or not, your take on something can be different from day to day – or even moment to moment.

“The” Cornfield

Funny because when I was going alone, each mile seemed to be the entire trip around the world. When we only had about 7 miles left, it seemed we had come 4.7 miles very quickly. But I think that was because a) we were all in a small group and b) that meant we only had 2 plus miles to go til the last stretch. We were all surprised when Jay announced that we had come 4.7 miles. We had been talking, stopped at Sonic and trying to have a good time (as best you can after going 300 miles already). My point, though, is that the miles seemed shorter. Then, however, when we got to the blasted cornfield (at the very end), the single mile went on and on and on……FOREVER. That perpsective was a culmination of immense fatigue, climbing up that last mountain and “knowing” the end was supposed to be just around the corner (so to speak).

I always hear that you should put things in the “proper perspective” but you know what? I’m not sure what that means. And I’m not sure because I do not know who is supposed to be able to make that judgement – whose perspective is the “proper” one. I think it means that we should try to figure out what we would think of a situation were we not tired, emotional, hungry, lonely or any other adverse situation. If you’re calm, cool, and collected, then maybe you CAN figure out what the “proper perspective” is – FOR YOU.

Do you ever look at someone and wonder what they are thinking about you? Do they look like they are mad at you, or ignoring you? That’s your perspective. What if they look that way because things aren’t going very well in their lives? It has nothing to do with you. Did you ever think that was a possibility? You have your perspective on how they look and they have their own.

You’ve heard the phrase “perception is reality”?  You can substitute “perspective” for “perception” very easily. Because what matters is how you are looking at something right this minute. What you CAN do for your own mental health, though, is recognize that this perspective MIGHT be different in an hour or in a few hours or maybe tomorrow. Keep that in mind and maybe things won’t look so bad right now. Maybe you can even laugh at what you’re thinking right this minute. Had I had this realization two weeks ago, that last day might not have been so hard on me. I might have been able to laugh instead of cry for miles.

I did have a sincere moment of perspective during the race, though. When there were the shootings of the military folks in Chatanooga, it became more clear that this was “just” a race and so what if I didn’t finish – or if I did? These people had lost their lives and their families would be affected forever. It sure helps to put what you are doing, thinking or feeling at the moment into the proper perspective.

I just offer this for your thought. How has your perspective changed either as you have grown in life or as your circumstances have changed in life?

Terrie