Selective Perspective

Picture this: A mother and daughter are looking at the snowfall from the front widow of their home. The daughter thinks: "Great, No school tomorrow." While Mom is thinking, "Great, how will I get to work tomorrow?"

"Lights, Camera... Action!"

By Elizabeth Tull

Andrea Shea Hudson, www.andreasheahudson.com , a coaching friend of mine said to me recently:

"If you're going to write the script for your life, why not write a great one?"

The Blizzard of 2005 currently going on in New York was my thought with coffee this warm and sunny January morning here in Atlanta. After a quick prayer that no one was seriously harmed, a wave of homesickness swept through me.

How beautiful Boston and New York City are during a snowfall. People outdoors and on-foot, the storm leaving traffic stilled and quieted which opens up the sound of those inhabiting the city without car horns blaring, mass transit buses, and the sea of yellow taxis.

Many neighborhoods feeling like neighborhoods due to increased social activity available when the city is closing down. The various architectures covered in a blanket of undisturbed whiteness, allowing the environment to appear Norman Rockwell-ish, artistic and magical. An abundance of colored hats, gloves and scarves along with some very creative winter clothing for my neighbors and their pets. Children busy with snowball fights, people playing with their dogs, sledding in Central Park or The Boston Commons, snowmen and ice sculptures reflecting the voice of artists' talents and, of course, the smell of brownstone apartment fireplaces reminding me that there is a warm place awaiting ? with a mug of hot chocolate or bowl of tomato soup.

Sleep comes easily that night after a day of outdoor adventure, bonding, and rediscovery.

Meanwhile back in Atlanta, the "adult" I was taught to be took over with my second cup of coffee: Puddles of slush, snow turning gray,brown and yellow; folks cranky due to mass transit systems and airports running off-schedule; salt and plow trucks blocking in vehicles and dirtying windshields. City sanitation workers unable to pick-up and discard piles of garbage; snow days from school with no childcare; frozen wiper blades; and having to walk to the store for provisions in the wind and cold.

I smiled. How drastically my perceptions had altered and shifted. "The scripts I write are based on my perspectives, aren't they?" I commented to Andrea in my head. The two visions I had just created are two very different scripts based on two very different perspectives. I stood at a crossroad in my mind.

Which perspective of the above two best reflect me today? I thought. I chose to open my recovery and coach training toolbox for the right questions to ask myself:

Which perspective holds more value of the two visions I created? How do I look at the world and its going's on? Are there adventures and challenges or problems and defeats? Am I feeling scarcity or abundance? Is my glass half empty or over flowing? Do I see possibilities or stops and drama? Did I create the time to check in on these perceptions, or was I being reasonable: I am too busy, tired, over-committed and inundated with more important things. Then I thought:

What could possibly be more important than checking in with or discovering my perspective, since that is the foundation that creates the way my life feels and how I feel about the life I create?

My answer:

The perspective I choose to live from today is a far cry from the perspective I was taught to have through my family experiences, the media, organizations from the past, grade school and my previous choices. I welcome crossroads today because thru them I have the power of choosing the direction I travel.

Today I am free, willing and unafraid to recall experiences that may create homesickness, pain or longing in me. I can go home again without living in the past. There are memories there that leave me warm inside and not depressed while I am conscious to the gifts of my life here in Atlanta. It felt good this morning revisiting and picturing the possibilities of adventure, rediscovery and bonding during a snowstorm up north. I also believe anything I mourn over was worth having in the first place. So that I do not end up back in my story or in the past negatively, I use an allotted time frame while I revisit if I feel sadness, loss or pain. This is another new perspective for me. I was taught that you can't go home again and that the past should stay in the past.

The empowerment I feel from choosing my perspective comes from my commitments and risk taking as well as long-term involvement in the recovery world, professional coaching, quality friends, mentors, and consistently making the time to discover and utilize the tools for living and not just existing. For me, living is always having a choice. Everyone has choices in everything though only a few of us learn how powerful that is when creating the present and future. Today I choose to not only discover and pick up the tools but to apply my energies for living into an extraordinary life. This I do by action around my commitments and that I do for my legacy, my children and my children's children.

That's my script, and I'm sticking to it.

"If you're going to write the script for your life, why not write a good one?" How important is it to understand your perspective? You decide.

Extraordinary living is a birthright. Stake your claim.

Live Gloriously,
Elizabeth Tull

Do you know someone who needs a perceptional awakening? Are you living the rewards of Personal Excellence thru Legacy Design or Enhanced Recovery Living? Stop by and sign up for "The Coaching Catalyst" newsletter and make yourself at home: www.agapelegacycoach.com

Elizabeth Tull is a Legacy Strategist who partners with others to design legacies of personal excellence. Her focus is assisting others in creating extraordinary experiences, relationships and fulfilling careers. Please visit or send any thoughts or feedback to: Elizabeth@agapelegacycoach.com" or just stop by and say "HI!" http://www.agapelegacycoach.com

---

Break And Move Beyond The Length Of The Chains

"Never let fear, procrastination or the longing for approval from... Read More

Todays Trivia

I received an email today that said I could: "Make... Read More

Persistence

One of the keys to being successful in anything you... Read More

Don?t Let Motivation Cause You to Fail

Yesterday my teenage son Matt came home with a less... Read More

The Power

I had a friend ask me a question not to... Read More

The Lies We Live By

How many times have you lied to get your way?Many... Read More

Employee Motivation - The 8 Basics

Building a team of motivated people in your business is... Read More

Whats Your Aging in American IQ? Take the Quiz and Find Out.

TRUE or FALSE1. Older adults have more mental health problems... Read More

Motivation: 3 Powerful Quotes from Golfer Tiger Woods

I am not a golfer, unless you count an occasional... Read More

7 Magical Ways To Stop Procrastination

There are a number of techniques to help you stop... Read More

Motivation - The Power of Drive

My experience tells me there are three stages people go... Read More

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone - Before Its Too Late

Think about what you're doing each day and ask yourself... Read More

Two Months, Two Actions: First Steps to Success

Susan stood on the scale the other day. She had... Read More

Tony Robbins - 10 Lessons I Learned From Anthony Robbins

Tony Robbins has been an inspiration for millions. Love him... Read More

The Day Your Life Will Change for Good!

Many people long for a better life. In fact, I... Read More

Finding the Easy Way

For the last hour I have been sweating over what... Read More

Increase Your Energy!

It was only about 18 months ago that I could... Read More

How to Stay Motivated Until You Get What You Want

And somehow you knew how to stay motivated...Goals are mysterious... Read More

Teaching kids -- UGH!! (...and what I learned from it)

I have a confession to make: I don't like working... Read More

Motivation By Consequences

In 2004 seven badly behaved teenagers were sent to a... Read More

Keep the Channel Open

Why do you do what you do? What is your... Read More

What Being Vs Doing Really Means

So often we hear about "being" rather than "doing." Often... Read More

Seeing Through the Pain

We must all suffer one of two things: the pain... Read More

Self-Esteem: You Matter

You'd be surprised. Maybe amazed. If you could see the... Read More

Have You Ever Not Done Something Because Someone Said You Couldnt?

"Every truly great accomplishment is at first impossible." It's a... Read More