Perspective

Have you ever known anyone that had perspective problems? Maybe you are one of those people with perpective problems, I don't know. Sometimes I am. But - you know the people I mean - the ones who worry and fret and obsess about what's going to happen in five minutes like it's the biggest thing in the world, when if they would just get a little perspective, they'd see that it was all going to work out okay. They just needed to look at it from a different angle.

I've been blessed throughout my life with the ability to see past the current situation and gain a little perspective on the trials and tribulations of life (at least most of the time). Some might say it's not really a blessing, because it does make me a little unsympathetic to daily crises. My little sister would often come to me wailing about some boy or another, or some situation or another, and I would always advise her to stick it out -don't worry - what will it matter in 5 years? I don't think she appreciated my advice. Sorry K.

Isn't it funny how two siblings can each have such different view of life? My kids are like that. My oldest son is an in the moment worrier kind of guy. He reacts to situations as if the world were ending and he completely falls apart when bad things happen. My youngest son has a more relaxed attitude about things, generally. Let me give you an example...about a year ago, one of our goldfish died. D fell apart as if it were his favorite uncle that always brought him chewing gum or something...I mean wailing, rending of garments, gnashing of teeth. Over a fish. J watched this drama for a few minutes and said (very compassionately, of course) "It's just a fish. We'll get another one. DANG." Okay - I added the DANG - but he felt it. I could tell.

Do you remember the scene from the movie Parenthood, when Steve Martin is watching his kid's school play and his youngest runs up on stage and starts wreaking havoc on the props? Through the whole movie, Steve Martin had been a worrier (which he passed along to his own son). He couldn't stand the chaos and uncertainty of life. I just love it, though when you can see the light go on his his mind, while watching his wife and grandmother laugh and enjoy the chaos, that this is all a roller coaster ride and we can either embrace the ups and downs as part of it, or spend our lives on the ground looking up at everyone else enjoying it. He begins to embrace the chaos and it turns his whole world around. He suddenly gained a new perspective.

Carpe Chaos, people...