It’s All A Matter Of Perspective
A few minutes ago, I stood at my kitchen sink looking out onto my deck covered with flowers. About six feet from me, there was a squirrel staring at me. It felt like he was saying, “You can’t beat me; why don’t you just give in.” We stared for about a minute, and then he slowly walked down the rail away from me towards my plants, where he loves to cause mayhem. I have a name for him that I cannot write in this article, but I am sure you can imagine something appropriate.
He and his friends and family also enjoy the vast buffet I have sitting on the opposite side of the deck, called a bird feeder. I’ve tried every kind of bird feeder known to man, boldly stating on the package, “squirrel proof.” That’s a bunch of bologna! Squirrels are innovative, persistent, and wiry. And they have all the time in the world to figure out even the most inventive anti-squirrel bird feeders. I am actually watching him sit at the squirrel-proof feeder right now, munching away at food meant for little birdies. He just nonchalantly skipped away to do some fun tree acrobatics. He will return later, and I cannot stop him.
A couple of weeks ago, I was standing at the window observing the Olympic medal winner celebrating his victory over me, his arch-rival, and a thought came to my mind. Why does it make me so mad that he eats from my bird feeder? That answer is simple: it’s a bird feeder, not a squirrel buffet. It says so right on the box from which I removed it. Why do birds get a free meal, but I don’t want to provide sustenance to Rocky? Why couldn’t this bird buffet also serve as a squirrel restaurant?
I decided that what was meant for birds also worked for squirrels, and they deserve a free meal, too. Now, I sit and watch both birds and squirrels enjoy my kindness. I changed my perspective, and my frustration faded like the morning fog. I turned a perceived negative into an enjoyable positive.
Frustration in life presents itself regularly, doesn’t it? We wanted chocolate ice cream, but they were out, and we had to settle for Rocky Road. We thought our project should be much further along by now, but there it sits, unfinished. A husband refuses to put the toilet seat down again! I finally have a day off, and it’s raining. My plane is late again. My son refuses to clean his room. A squirrel regularly visits a restaurant made for my feathered friends.
May I propose that many of life’s frustrations could be turned into positive experiences if we just looked at them differently? Rocky Road is not a bad alternative to chocolate. This project is more complicated than I once thought, but I am learning a lot in the process. My husband doesn’t put down the seat, but he does bring me coffee each morning. Since it’s raining, maybe I could read that book next to the bed that I’ve wanted to read it for months. While waiting on this plane, I think I will write a note of encouragement to my child. My son sucks at cleaning his room, but he excels at making me smile. That squirrel is a nuisance, but he’s kinda cute too.
I wonder how many enjoyable things we miss because they don’t appear exactly as we pictured. So, we walk around fussing and fuming like a four-year-old. It doesn’t have to be that way. There is another way of looking at it.
Jesus spent much time trying to get His followers to change their perspective.
“Lord, since the people in this town didn’t accept You, would you like us to call down fire from heaven and wipe them out?” Jesus, “No, that is not a good idea. Those are the very people I came to save. I love them, and you should, too.”
“Lord, it would take more than a year’s wages to feed all these people; let’s send them home.” Jesus, “Give me what you have, and let me show you what I can do with it. I am going to change your perspective.”
“Teacher, You can’t go back to Jerusalem. They are trying to kill you.” Jesus, “Get out of my way; I’m going to show you something you wouldn’t believe if I told you. In fact, I did tell you, and you don’t believe it. When I am finished, you will change your tune.”
“Gentlemen, until I see His nail-scarred hands and feet, I will never believe you.” Jesus, “Tom, since you have now changed your perspective, you will learn that thousands of people who have never seen Me will put their faith in Me. And Thomas, you will bring many of those people to faith before you die.”
There are many experiences in life that we initially perceive negatively, but if we remain open-minded, those negatives might just turn into positives. I challenge you to look at things you don’t like differently. At least learn to be open to the possibility that good things often come disguised as annoying or hurtful. If you do, you will spend less time and energy unnecessarily frustrated.
Live Inspired!
Don Mark
