We each put a different value on the things in our lives: relationships, love, work, hobbies, etc. Some things matter more to us than others, and we arrange our lives around these things, to reflect the value that we place on each.
It can be difficult then in the fast paced world we live in to get really clear about where our priorities lie. We often get caught up in the ‘shoulds’ and the in and out routine of daily life, that what is most important, can easily fall to the side. And there is one thing-that above all else, is most important…
I remember a time where I briefly forgot-It was a busy travel month and I had been in and out of the airport, a lot. When I found myself at the airport bright and early for my trip home. I was tired, a bit run-down and anxious to get home to my husband-who I hadn’t seen much that month.
At that moment, as I sat waiting, a man came by sweeping up anything that lay on the ground. He wore a big smile, was whistling and said ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’ to every person he passed-including me. SO full of joy, at 7am, sweeping up garbage that shouldn’t have been on the floor in the first place.
Here I was sitting-a bit grumpily-and for no real reason. I had just spent the month traveling, sharing a message I am beyond passionate about, with people who I felt so blessed to meet, and now I was sitting in a warm, comfortable lounge, reading a book of my choice, drinking a cold drink, waiting to fly home to my loving husband.
In that moment something (thankfully) shifted. The run-down, tiredness, and anxiety I had been experiencing disappeared and my perspective changed. I was reminded by that man to be grateful for the many, many blessings bestowed to my life in that moment, and in all those weeks of travel. Perspective. That is what matters most. How we look at and approach our lives-makes all the difference in the world.
How do we ensure that this doesn’t happen to us: forgetting what is important and staying present in that moment? We call attention to our priorities in our lives in a real way. But, most importantly, what shapes those things, what shapes your entire life is your perspective about how you view those things. You can have the best of the best, or the worst of the worst in this life-and it will not be those things that really matter-but instead in how you choose to perceive them that will.
How are you looking at your life?
Originally published at medium.com