Why couldn’t she see things from my perspective? I asked myself as I wheeled my bicycle out of the garage this early summer morning. My daughter Kathy and I were taking different views on a particular issue, and neither one of us was budging.
I snapped on my helmet, got on my bike, and headed down the driveway. The early morning sun was streaming through the trees, just rising just over the rooftops of the houses in this suburban neighborhood. The weather wasn’t too warm yet, and the humidity was low.
My usual morning exercise bike ride route was a couple of 2 mile laps in a clockwise direction around my neighborhood. Bored with that routine, and somewhat frustrated by the disagreement, I took a deep breath of the clean morning air, and turned my bike in the opposite direction.
The usual chorus of songbirds accompanied me. The rabbits were out feeding on front lawns, the squirrels chasing each other around.
Going in this counter-clockwise direction, my eyes were drawn to a different side of the street, and I saw gardens, trees, bushes and other sites I didn’t see in my usual direction. I got fresh ideas for my own front yard, and saw some beautifully decorated porches.
During the second lap, I reflected how simply changing my direction gave me a new perspective of my neighborhood.
What if you tried to see things from Kathy’s perspective, instead of insisting she see things from yours? asked the Quiet Voice.
The question made me a little uncomfortable, because He was right. Instead of insisting on my own way, I’d try to see it from hers. A different perspective can open my eyes and mind to new ideas.
© Diane L. Neuls DeBlasio 2011
Seeing God in the Ordinary 
So true!
Great words for me today, Diane. I am at my summer camp in NH where I am employed as supervisor of land activities. It seems that I have been called this year to listen to other’s perspectives, and yet I remain stubborn within myself that my ideas are better. I must let go and follow directions that I am given. Perhaps this too is my learning for the summer–to see people, places and things from another’s perspective. Thank you for the reminder.