The "Big Dipper," or the "Starry Plough," can be seen throughout the world and has often been used to find the guiding North Star. But seen from another perspective, the seven brightest stars of the constellation Ursa Major would not look like a dipper or a plough or a cleaver, as the alignment that we have come to know would no longer exist. Consequently, it could be said that it already doesn't exist, except within our minds and from the perspective of the planet earth only.

If we were able to look at lives's troubles from a heightened perspective, ever and ever pulling back, having the ability to turn them upside down and sideways, perhaps we would come to realize how much is a reaction of our minds or the perspective of a very narrow view.

We have an eighty plus year old gentlemen that comes into the store regularly. He is always cheerful, a great conversationalist and speaks ill of no one. His wife has Alzheimer's, he is his son's caretaker after the result of a bad accident and visits and feeds him daily. His daughter has severe MS. Several of his grandchildren were stabbed to death by a friend of the mothers. The oldest of the grandchildren was sexually assaulted and stabbed and was able to call the police and testify against the assailant. And yet his perspective on his life is so much different from what you would expect.

Makes my troubles appear silly.

Comments

Loralee Choate said…
Sometimes I just don't know how people find the strength, Tim. I really don't.
The Geezers said…
I know a couple of people like this, too, and it never fails to humble me.

It's been said that a peace of mind which depends on circumstances being just as we want them isn't worth very much.

Folks who manage to keep their integrity under circumstances like this, though, truly have something special
Anonymous said…
it really is about how we think about and perceive things. i'm not all that well versed in consistent beneficial thinking. i'm getting there, though. from much practising and basic bloody mindedness. lovely post, here timmy!
B said…
Great post, Tim. The father of a friend suffered from cerebral palsy and had one crumpled hand and slurred speech. He was born in the thirties when our culture was a lot less hospitable to "cripples." Though he was extraordinarily bright and inquisitive, he lived in isolation and poverty because he'd never been given a chance to show what he was capable of and been hurt throughout his life by many people. To be fair, this hurt manifested itself in a lot of anger (much of which was directed at his daughter, my friend), but he was also generous, to the best of his abilities, with those in need. To people who never took the time to know him, he might have never seemed to be anything other than "The crippled hermit living in that old dilapidated trailer. You know, the one who works at the junkyard pulling apart old cars."
Rowan said…
yeah, these are the kind of people that always get it the worst. I always say it just proves life ain't fair. Like our aunt, she's a wonderful woman, but has the most health problems in the family. She remains positive. I don't know how. Then again, i don't have to, maybe I shouldcount my blessings.
What an amazing and inspiring man!!!
tao1776 said…
Rubik...they just do...just like you so often have
MW - "It's been said that a peace of mind which depends on circumstances being just as we want them isn't worth very much." So very true!!!!
Cape...you call me Timmy one more time and I'm gonna....er, do something..
Brenden....we know so little about what makes a person who they are. It's good to never judge a book by it's cover...
Yeah, Rowan....sometimes it seems like some people are just destined to live in crap and somehow learn to rise above it.
Sure thing, James!

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