While I’ve been working on this puzzle over the last few weeks, some realizations have come to me. It’s probably pretty obvious to anyone that does puzzles on a regular basis. But here they are…
You need to look at things from different angles.
Instead of simply looking at the puzzle and it’s pieces from the same direction, sometimes I had to get up and examine pieces around the table. Pick things up, look at it a little closer – and discover something new about myself.
I think through this 101 things to do in 1001 days idea, I’m doing just that. I’m trying to look at things in ways that I haven’t before. Trying new things. Creating adventures for myself – and taking chances on things when I don’t really know what the outcome is going to be.
You need to flip things upside down.
More than one time this weekend, I was holding the right piece of the puzzle and all I had to do was flip it over. Turn it a little clockwise. Or just simply try it a different place. That’s how things came together so quickly.
In my weight loss journey there were plenty of times that I had to flip things upside down. I had to change things up. I had to do something different. Because change is good. Change keeps you on your toes and keeps your body from getting too used to the same things day in and day out. If I hadn’t continually made changes in my life – for my weight loss journey specifically – I don’t think I would have lost the weight.
Truly, when I speak of change in this case I don’t mean solely food, sometimes it’s the exercise or activities you do, and sometimes it’s the support group that you have. During my journey, I had 4 very distinct groups of support… and I can honestly say that each formed a special bond with me throughout the journey. 
Did I really just say that change is good… hmmm.
And sometimes you need to remove yourself from the situation to see where you’re at.
I think this is the hardest part of changing the perspective on something. Leaving it and moving on. Looking at something new. When I did this and then a while (hours, days, a week perhaps) later came back to it, the whole thing seemed new. Almost as if something had changed within the puzzle while I was gone.
I may have said this before, but over the last month my Bible studies have been non-existent. I’ve felt further away from God than what I have in a long time. Tears have been shed, prayers for help have been lifted up… but I never opened His word to listen to what he might be telling me.
Then I started the Bible in 90 Day journey 2 days ago. It was hard, I struggled. It wasn’t as if I wanted or intended to be a “remove yourself” situation, but I think for some reason, it was part of the plan because I feel renewed yesterday as I read.
All of these perspectives are important as we journey though life.
If we don’t take a step back from the conversations we’ve had that have raised tensions with a friend or family member and look at them another way, a rift may form that takes much longer to be crossed in the path of healing. What if we don’t look at what we need to change in ourselves to make us who God wants us to be by flipping something over in our lives, could we miss a blessing that could change the lives of those around us forever?
Do you have to change your perspective on something?
I know I do. And I’m glad to be working on it.
