Cultivate new perspectives

The official first day of spring may have come last month but the sensory experiences of seasonal change are just arriving for those living in cold climates: feeling warmer, seeing green, smelling earth, hearing birds. When the temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit this time of year, I feel like wearing a dress and flip flops. In contrast, I pull out my boots and sweaters when that same temperature arrives in autumn. The temperature remains the same, but my perception has changed. The very beginning of spring is—visually speaking—my least favorite time of year. The snow remains in dirty patches, the grass is brown and muddy, the trees are baren with no icy shimmer. But then…little bits of bright green spiral up from the ground; the chorus of birds chirping becomes grander; pinks, yellows, and fluffy white colors appear accompanied by fragrant florals. We have an expression in the Midwest to describe winter, “in like a lion, out like a lamb.” It takes time and patience to get to the rewards of spring. Likewise, it takes time to develop self-awareness about how our perceptions can drastically change our behavior.

For example, it’s easy to feel intimidated when you are a newbie at the gym. Many people compare their physiques to others and might feel nervous getting into seemingly complicated machines. Over time (preferably with the assistance of a personal trainer!) people grow accustomed to the routine and machines but often have a hard time shaking comparisons to other people. Rather than celebrate accomplishments such as weight loss, some people maintain their perceptions of self as inadequate or not enough. I heard one woman describe her significant weight loss this way, “Even though I look different in the mirror, I feel like I am still the same fat person.” This was sad and shocking to me and since that time I’ve heard countless similar statements. What’s the point of putting in the effort to look a certain way, achieve it, and ultimately emotionally feel the same way? Can we shift our approach so that the reward is in the process rather than the result?

Likewise, when someone becomes ill or develops chronic disease or injury, it is hard not to look at other people with envy when doing things that injuries or illness prevent. Think back to the last time you had a cold and all you wanted to be able to do was breathe normally again, not feel nauseated, or stop blowing your nose. Once we start to feel normal again, we forget to be thankful for every breath, being able to eat, or not having a runny nose. We easily compare ourselves to people that we perceive to be better off than we are but forget to recognize the multitude of things that we currently possess. It is very likely someone would be envious of some of the advantages that you have.

Becoming aware of our perceptions and cultivating new perspectives is perhaps easier said than done, but with practice and patience it becomes easier. For the next few weeks we will explore poses such as twists to wring out perspectives that no longer serve us, use comparisons to our advantage, and explore the concept of removing suffering from pain. Can you think of tools you’ve used in the past to reframe your perspective or identify ways your perceptions have changed your behavior? If so, add your comments below! Need some gentle nudging on how to reframe in order to achieve your goals? Set up your free consultation today!

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