Changing your perspective can help you enjoy life more

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about perspective and how it can affect our attitude and our appreciation, or lack thereof, for all that we have. Maybe these thoughts have been running through my mind because of the passing of several family members and friends over the past few months and thinking of their families coping with that loss.

Honestly, I’m not really sure why this word, “perspective” keeps popping up in my head.

However, I have spoken that word several times to my kids when they are upset about something that, in my mind, they don’t need to be distressed over.

It has helped them calm down and realize that while it may be frustrating to lose something, it’s really not worth being angry or distraught over. Things can always be replaced but people can’t and several people they know are having to deal with that type of loss.

Perspective has also come to mind with this whole uproar over Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and his comments to reporter Erin Andrews after the NFC Championship game.

Most people seemed to immediately jump down Sherman’s throat calling him classless, this was before they got the whole story or even took into consideration that he was pumped up on adrenaline and he had just made the winning play of the game, pushing them into the Super Bowl.

And let’s face it any reporter would be thrilled with a sound bite like that, which Andrews was.

After everyone calmed down and the media started looking into the whole story we soon learned that Sherman had actually shown great sportsmanship by offering to shake Crabtree’s hand and tell him he played a good game.

I was also impressed to read of Sherman’s back-story and his amazing accomplishments on and off the field. He is a true leader and a great communicator and one very intelligent man. And, yes, he is the best cornerback in the NFL.

Again, it’s all about perspective and seeing the whole story, what is truly important and not basing an opinion on one comment made in a raw emotional moment.

I love finding great quotes and one of my favorites lately goes like this, “If you have a family that loves you, a few good friends, food on your table, a roof over your head, you are richer than you think.” Author unknown.

When you look at the world as a whole, there are literally millions of people who don’t have all of these things. Many are suffering from malnutrition and living on the streets. Many have watched family members gunned down in front of them.

How many of these people would love to have homes like yours, a cell phone, computer or even a car? Again, it’s about perspective.

I hope we can all learn to appreciate what we have and help those who need our help. Remember, “we don’t always get what we wany, but consider this: There are people who will never have what you have right now.” Author Unknown.