Supertanker perspectives

Today I'm back down by the water. You've probably guessed by now if you follow me on any form of social media that I really do love the ocean. It is my 'go to' place when I want to walk and think.

Today though it's much colder and I'm hoping a brisk walk will warm me slightly. The change from the warmest April day on record yesterday to a cold blustery one today is probably not that unusual for this part of the world, or this time of year, but it does always seem to catch us by surprise. We Aussies can be a funny lot like that.

Anyway, today as I walked towards the beach I noticed what seemed to be a massive ship offshore amongst all the others waiting for their turn in port. As I walked further and was able to gain a different view, I realised that it was actually two ships waiting and not one.

You may wonder where I'm heading with this. But here's the rap. What was the difference? Simply a different angle giving me a different and new perspective on what I was seeing. What had been massive and unusual was actually much smaller and normal.

I thought about how much like our life that can be. We often see the situations we face and the challenges that rise up as one massive and unmanageable 'ship'. It may appear as an overwhelming issue too large to be faced.

The reality though, is that a different  perspective, a changed angle, gives a very different picture. Just as my one massive ship was actually two normal sized ships, our overwhelming challenges are in truth mostly just the sum of some pretty 'normal' stuff to deal with. When we look at it differently and break it down, it seems manageable and possible.

I have found it really helpful to try to see things with a different perspective. Sometimes we need others to help us see it, (at least I sometimes do) but often we just need to remind ourselves that it's not actually as big as it first appears to be.

We can ask ourselves "In what way can I view this differently? How can I see this situation from a different angle, and from a new perspective that might give me another way of approaching the situation in a real and manageable way?" What new insights are available to me as I approach this situation from a different perspective and with new knowledge of reality that will help me move forward?.

I'm not always great at this. But as I watch the ships and consider my life and the situations I find myself addressing, it's a great reminder on taking the time to consider if my perspective needs adjusting.

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