Perspective

Last night, when I was taking Layla out before bed, I stepped out onto the back stoop. 

I usually just turn on the outdoor light for her, let her out the back door, and step back inside to wipe up a counter or gather my things to bring upstairs. But last night I felt that summer night air as I opened the door for her and something about it drew me outside. I looked up and realized that, despite on and off rain and clouds that day, the sky was clear and filled with stars. I stepped back in and turned off the bright flood lights that illuminate our back yard, and then walked out onto the patio and stood in the darkness. I looked up again and hundreds, thousands more stars shown down at me. It was so peaceful, and so beautiful, that I dragged Steve outside to take it in with me. We stood there in the dark, silent except for the sound of crickets and the occasional airplane moving over us. 

Whenever I feel like I need perspective, I look up at the sky. When life's daily grind wears me down or I am grappling with some dilemma, looking up quickly reminds me that, somehow, I have been given the gift of a finite life on an absolutely beautiful planet floating in the middle of space. It isn't always easy, but when it comes down to it: how amazing is it that I've been given some time here? And you too?

I know the idea of keeping perspective might not be for everyone, and trust me: I realize just how fortunate I am. It does not escape me that there are millions of people who are dealing with far, far, far more difficult things than I ever have or ever will and that a simple "keep it in perspective!" will not do. I know that we each have our own obstacles and we can't compare one journey to another, but I also believe that for most of us, having perspective is so incredibly key to not only being happy with our life, but to being able to help others who might be facing really, flat-out hard things. 

Perspective has served me well throughout my life. It has been one of the only things to pull me through some of my hardest moments. And just like the sky on a clear summer night, it has poked holes in the darkness where light can shine through. 

I hope it does for you, also.