by Vince Federici

Created on: June 20, 2009

Perspective is an ever changing thing. As we learn more about the stimulus that we are bombarded with minute by minute; what was once a solid and ethical idea or moment, can change into something almost unrecognizable, or even become something felt with a higher understanding, or more recognizable. As a result, perspective is something that needs a deadline, or a time limit. With a definitive stoppage of thought planned ahead, perspective is forced into a corner. When this happens, certain extra thoughts are tossed aside to come to a final conclusion. Once this is in place, you can move on to the next step.

Everyone has their own perspective on things, but it is very possible to see things in someone else's "shoes". We need to be reminded that we are not alone and there is no reason to re- invent the wheel, or even fire for that matter. Dale Carnegie said that the best way to make a person feel good (after remembering their name) is to ask them their opinion about something. Utilizing someone else's mind is the greatest compliment one can give to another. It makes one feel as if their experience in life up to the present point has meant something and is important. So get someone else's perspective on whatever you're trying to determine because experience is the tell all judge for any situation or idea.

Now its time to get creative with yourself. I like to use the phrase, "entertain the idea". We all have a concrete belief system set up internally. This can be religious or unreligious. Beliefs are very important for everyone to have. They can also be viewed as walls for the mind too. This has a very severe effect on perspective. So once a time limit and use of other's ideas are in place, its time to tear down your own walls just for a moment and create an alternate you that goes against your own beliefs. Entertain the idea of your opposite. This is sometimes difficult to do because you are essentially determining what you don't believe by using your own belief system and acting on the impulse. Fortunately there is no better expert on the self than the self. Here's an example: There are people who believe that Jesus Christ will eventually return to earth. There are also those who believe that he hasn't come yet. What if you "entertain the idea" that he already has returned but nobody called him Jesus. How about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? Lets say for the heck of it that Mozart was the second coming and his miracle to the world was writing the tune for English speakers to learn the alphabet before he was 12 years old. It's also the Twinkle, twinkle little star song. Then let the idea go. you just changed your perspective on something once very concrete in your belief system. Now you're able to access this inner opposite perspective.

The final outcome is now a collection of perspectives from inside and outside of the mind. With a network of other minds and two of your own, I think you have a great solid footing to keeping things in perspective.

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