Try a New Perspective
Sometimes it takes a different view of life to see past the “usual”. Maybe even… looking at things upside down?
Here’s an example of what I mean.
It’s Only a Shadow
There’s this beanery Mrs. MZM and I enjoy eating at not far from our home. Oh, it’s not that it’s anything special, exactly; it’s just that it’s in an area we enjoy just strolling around in. (I also like their bacon cheeseburgers, but alas, since startin’ this diet, I gotta cut back a mite. But that’s another story…)
Anyhoo, they have a nice outdoor seating area that, when the weather is nice, can be a great place to spend a few hours. (Sometimes there’s nothing more fun than just sittin’ and watchin’ people. Just sayin’.)
The afternoon sun had gotten a bit low, and it was time to head back to the house. As we threaded our way through the tables outside, I noticed the interesting light/shadow effects of a set of table and chairs on the patio. Naturally, I whipped out the ol’ phone and shot a photo.
It wasn’t until uploading the original photo that I had my first good look at it, though. A fine photo, if I do say so myself! I liked the near-monochromatic tones of the image, the delicate contrasts of light and dark. But then out of the blue, a somewhat whimsical thought struck me (sound of dull thud). What if I… turned the image upside down?
The results, as you can see, are pretty amazing.
There’s almost an, I dunno, Alice-in-Wonderland character to the chair shapes now that wasn’t there before. And all because I simply decided to look at the picture from a different point of view.
Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept
So the question I have for ya today is, what mundane, ordinary things are going on around you right now? What if you looked at life from a completely different angle today? What remarkable and interesting things would YOU discover?
Why not try something fun? Here’s your mission for this week, should you choose to accept it. Find something ordinary; something you’ve probably seen a thousand times before and never gave a second thought. If possible, photograph it. Try looking at it differently, and see what you discover. Then, write about it. Link back to this post so we can all discover what you did.
Hey, what have you got to lose? Try it. You may be surprised!
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Photo: Shadow Seating, by Robert Hruzek
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Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Hi Robert! Changing your perspective is not always easy but it is miraculous what you see when you change your angle or adjust your lens. Challenges become opportunities, and the mundane becomes miraculous. I will definitely seek ways this week to shift my thinking. Thanks!
.-= Karen Swim´s last blog ..Painting by Numbers =-.
@Karen – Hey if you do manage a shift in perspective this week, then my work here is done!
Thank you for reminding me of this. I encounter shifts in perspective every day (your pic is a very cool example by the way!).
I have moments that I go through my day so involved and stressed with my own thoughts that I don’t even take notice of my surroundings.
They next day I may pass through some of the same places as the day prior and all of a sudden I look around and notice the trees, blue sky, and birds and butter flies flying about and find myself euphoric, excited and charged with energy.
All this I believe is due to a simple change in perspective!
Same place, different experience!
@Jeffrey – Hey, glad to have you drop by, Jeffrey, and thanks for the kind word about the photo; I like it a lot, too.
What you’re describing is what we all have a tendency to go through. Hopefully, not too often, though. It’s when we take the time to actually look around, well, that’s when the amazing begins to show itself!
Hmm…, Robert. You have the points here. I have living in my comfort zone for such a long time, and it’s time to get out from it. Maybe, a little changes of my perspective will help me to become a better person!
@Wilson – Well that depends, Wilson. How much better do you need to be?
Just kiddin’, Bubba; you’re already one of the nicest folks I know…
Great post, unfortunately a lot of people get so used to the way they do things that they are afraid to change.
.-= Igor´s last blog ..Walgreens Coupon- $5 off $25 =-.
@Igor – Well, that’s true. But that’s why it’s so important to actually, y’know, change! Otherwise your routine becomes engraved in stone…