Perspective

The last few weeks have been trying but I keep pushing forward until I can't anymore and then I rest and recharge. We all have to rest once in a while and get off the hamster wheel most of us are on.

Seems we beat ourselves up far too much for mistakes, misjudgements, and poor choices, but they only show we are human and that we have room to grow into a better version of ourselves. We all show signs of our worst when below 30% energy level because we are tired, sick, or in pain.

Many of us when we have a problem blow it out of the water and our issue grows exponentially, until it consumes and overwhelms. And then frustration creeps in and we either shut down for a while or we kick our backsides and become more determined. A short pity party is to be expected, but cut it off as quickly as possible to avoid wallowing, which prevents the ability to move forward. learn, and grow.

Awareness and perspective can change how we view things and clarify life in general, if we allow ourselves to consider others and their experiences in the moment.

Now, I don't mean to negate what we are feeling at the time of challenge. We need to validate feelings, process them, and then move on as a way of reaching clarity and understanding.

I used to hate when my mother would say things like, consider those with no food if as a kid I said I'm starving before supper, or be happy you have a roof over your head, when I complained about a cold bedroom, when she'd say thousands don't even have a bed.

It definitely instilled guilt in me for saying anything in the first place, and guilt leads to shame. It is important to own our feelings, process them, and then make a choice on how best to deal with them. I find it helpful to pray for others and myself as a way of doing whatever small thing I can to alleviate the physical, emotional, or mental pain people feel, and maybe just to let them know they are not alone.

Daily I put my thoughts and feelings in perspective and try to walk in the shoes of others. It makes me more mindful of the trials and tribulations many people face. I think of those injured or killed in the latest earthquake or tornado. My heart is sick for those suffering because of wildfires burning in British Columbia or in the United States.

In the latest BC fires, August, 2026, too many people had to run with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and some had to be helicoptered out as flames licked so close they received burns. Thousands lost their homes, all of their belongings, and many did not have insurance. Imagine the strength it takes to face having it all one day and nothing the next as your house and everything in it burns to the ground.

And so my computer woes or physical discomfort is but a grain of sand compared to an entire sand castle being swept up and blown away. And so perspective and being able to walk in another's shoes teaches us wisdom, compassion, and empathy, three virtues that build character and coping tools.

Granted some days the physical pain can be too much, but then I think of the flood of people facing the BIG diseases such as cancer, ALS, Alzheimers, mental illnesses, the death of a loved one, and more, and my heart goes out to them. Seems life can deal a raw, horrible hand, and some people are dealt far more grief than others. Why is a mystery we will never figure out in this lifetime no matter how many times we ask why a child has to die, or a mother, with six wee babies.

But maybe we are not meant to have all the answers; it is more about what we do with what we have, more about who we become as people, what is in our heart and not what is in our wallet, or where we sit on the prestige ladder. We all have the potential to give, to be kind, nurturing, sympathetic, compassionate, and loving, and those virtues cost nothing.

I'd rather be known for my character then how much money I made, how high I climbed on the social ladder, or how famous I became. I'd want to be known as loyal, loving, honest, sincere, and authentic, even with faults, flaws, and challenges, and how I faced them head on.

Yes, my mistakes, regrets, and misjudgements are important to acknowledge, for what we do when challenged is often more indicative of true character. It is easy to be happy when everything is going great. It is when taxed and struggling that our authentic selves shows through, and we learn important lessons about ourselves.

If I can put others before myself, while validating my own situation, maybe I can learn and grow, and eventually reach my full potential. Isn't that what life is all about, or am I dreaming? Decades of experiences and living provide an excellent classroom, and those of us graced with a longer life do have lessons to impart.

Ever day I am grateful for the gift of life. When I breathe, I take spirit in, and when I breathe out I am reminded how precious each minute and second is, and that those minutes and seconds are all I have as wildfires, earthquakes, vehicular accidents, and disease remind me that in a flash my life could change and ultimately will.

And that is the lesson perspective and awareness teach me every day as I take stock, plan, and process the gift of another 24 hours, and what I might do for those I love, and others with whom I come in contact.

The gift of a kind word, financial donation, compliment, pat on the back, hug, checkin, or quality time spent with, can make the difference between a good or a bad day, and in that we make others feel better.

Just as nature can be a gift to us, we can be gifts to others, and they to us. Now isn't that a wonderful perspective to hang onto? And being able to share when we feel terrible or are dealing with physical pain can help us through the tough moments. Be there as a listening ear, no judgement. It may very well change your perspective while helping someone else. take care and be well. Francene Gillis

Wet Feet or Beauty In Nature?