Gaining Perspective While Driving Across the Country

by | Sep 1, 2020 | Observations, Peter's Voice

Beth and I recently took a road trip across the country.

We had lots of time to think. As the hours went by, we alternated from listening to an audiobook, to having lively discussions, and admiring the scenery as we quietly drove by.

One thought that kept coming up during the quiet times was the importance of perspective.

As we drove along the highway past small towns, our perspective was so completely different from the people who called those places home. We couldn’t relate to what was going on there. Anything about those towns quickly dropped from our minds as we continued on our journey.

I wondered what people were thinking as they drove by where I lived.

What’s happening in my town is important and worth my attention, but it’s probably not worth it to the people just passing by.

And, that’s when I wondered, how do we choose what to focus on? Do we get to choose, or are we forced to focus on certain things?

Since you get what you focus on, this is a huge question.

We typically focus on what is in front of us. It’s hard to turn away from the obvious. To focus on something else requires imagination and the ability to disengage.

If you continue focusing on what is in front of you, you will get more of what you already have.  Things will continue to stay the same unless you change your focus.

If things are going well for you, keep it up. However, if you want to make a change, you’ll need to change what you focus on.

Power of Perspective 

One of the easiest ways to change your life is to change our perspective. Critically ask yourself if what you are looking at and thinking about is important to you.

If not, it’s time to take the perspective of the people in the car driving by. Take a look, but don’t bother to stop unless you want to experience more of it.

As we love to say, You Can Choose.

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