It’s amazing what a bit of perspective can do.
As I grow older, it seems that I’ve finally got my eyes wide open.
Everything is coming into focus. Not only the way the world works and where I fit within it. But also the way I work, and how that affects those around me.
These types of things took time, experience and deep introspection to fully grasp. Yet, once I did grasp them, I found myself full of regret.
Regret for the ignorance of my youth. Regret for the way I once treated those closest to me. Regret for the biased worldview I once carried with me.
Yes, the error of my prior ways rang true and clear. And all I could do is play the What If game, wishing that my current perspective on life also existed in years gone by.
This, of course, is ridiculous.
Our mind doesn’t come fully loaded. We must experience, learn and grow in order to build perspective.
It’s a process that takes time, patience — and a lot of mistakes. To err is human, because the lessons from those errors allow us to explore the boundaries between right and wrong.
This first-hand experience can be messy at times, and even cringe-worthy in hindsight. But it’s also essential.
For without this, we can’t have perspective. We can’t have meaningful introspection. We can’t get to the point where our eyes are wide open.
And that’s a spot worth getting to.
So, let’s take all those regrets we might have for our prior ignorance and replace them with a new sensation — gratitude.
Let’s be grateful for the road we have traveled. For the lessons we have learned. For those who have continually stood by us, even back when we were naïve and immature.
Let’s be grateful for our newfound perspective, and for the time we have ahead of us to apply it to our experiences. Let’s be grateful for all we have now, and for all the great things that could be in store for us moving forward.
Most of all, let’s forge ahead with a clear mind and a full heart.
For while much can be learned from the past, life can’t be lived there.
Best to be looking forward with eyes wide open.