Perspective

It is important to me to maintain an awareness of how my perspective is being shaped by the daily events of my life. Past experience brings filters to present experience. Sometimes these filters are helpful and can save me from repeating a mistake. Sometimes these filters can cause needless suspicion and anxiety when what I see triggers memories of past unfortunate experience.

Most psychotherapists understand that mining the experience with a patient is a good way of discovering triggers and filters developed by past experience. By helping the patient to make these filters and triggers accessible, the psychotherapist hope to help the patient to consciously use this awareness to change or modify dysfunctional behaviors. If I know that I am afraid of something irrationally due to past trauma, I can begin to deal with that trauma consciously and diminish my irrationally fearful behaviors. This in turn makes me feel more powerful. It creates a more optimistic perspective in that area of my life.

Sorting out and applying a practical behavior based on perspective in the moment requires some work and, of course, practice. I have found it helpful to maintain an inner dialogue about my perspective. I question my impressions and challenge my judgments. This means I often respond to my environment with thoughtful silence, rather than living in a reactive fashion. I observe the external and my internal reactions, while processing my reactions quietly and honestly within my mind.

Motivation is important. If I live every day motivated by making money or having fun, I have no need of any perspective other than the perspective of my personal stimulation. However, if my motivation is to live by my humanist values in full awareness with a sense of responsibility, I had better be clear about what my perspective is telling me about me and my environment. Otherwise, I am simply fooling myself and being a hypocrite. Behavior based on simple reflex or habit is seldom mindful or compassionate.