A Perspective Adjustment

The other day I stopped at a red light and looked in the rear view mirror. All I could see was the front grill and hood of an approaching truck. My grip tightened on the steering wheel and I braced for impact.

But nothing happened.

After exhaling a long sigh, I became aware I need a new perspective.

You see, for thirteen years I've driven the same car but recently I purchased a crossover SUV. When I drove the car, I had a four foot trunk so vehicles stayed further back. But now, my new ride has a flat back so folks pull much closer than before.  

Like looking in the mirror, our perspective is closer than it appears and yet, influences every aspect of our lives. Sometimes we need a "perspective" adjustment. Because…

• Situations in life change.
• People change.
• Events change.
• We change.

Every now and then, we should evaluate our perspective and decide if a new course is in order. Are we becoming rigid in our thoughts and decisions? Are we stuck in the same place, never getting closer to our dream? What is holding us back? How can we grow from recent experiences and become more aware of our weaknesses and increase our strengths? What's the best way to improve so we can reach our full potential?  

Soul searching or self-evaluation is necessary because as life changes we need to validate our perspective. And sometime after examination, we may conclude our perspective is "spot on perfect" and no course adjustment is necessary.  

The New Year seems a great time to sit by a warm fire with hot tea and pull out our existing perspective. Explore. Twist and turn it as if solving a Rubik's cube. Adjust accordingly.

This may help us to lessen our grip and exhale a sigh of relief. And that sounds like a great way to begin fresh in the New Year.

How's your perspective this New Year? Have you made any course adjustments lately? What has encouraged you on this journey called life? Please share.

Tammy Van Gils plants words and grows insightful stories blooming with hope. She is a thriving survivor of abuse, abandonment and adversity. How? By the Master Gardener's grace, the Vine's love, and the Advocate's renewal—emotionally and spiritually. She is sowing life with her husband of 35 years, a Yorkie Poo named Moose, and a dozen chickens. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She's honored to be a guest blogger and also a contributor to The Wonders of Nature Devotion Book, Let the Earth Rejoice Devotions, So God Made a Dog, Worthy Inspired and Short and Sweet Too, Grace Publishing.