A New Perspective
Using mindful reflection and visualization to change your world
I looked out my bedroom window the other day and saw the snow blowing sideways across the farmer’s field behind our house. It looked very cold and windy and not terribly inviting.
Then I walked to the front of the house and looked out onto our suburban street (we live in a new subdivision under construction) and saw an entirely different view; the snow looked as if it were lightly falling and was not nearly as ominous as it looked out that back.
By moving a few feet and looking out a different window, I changed my view and it changed my perspective.
But if I had not sought another view, I likely would have thought that it was too cold and windy to go outside and I may have missed a beautiful winter walk.
We all look at the world through our own unique lens, and this lens is formed by our past experiences, lessons we’ve learned, and our inner belief systems. That means you and I can look at the same picture or experience the same event and come away with an entirely different interpretation of the exact same thing.
Often it’s our limiting beliefs that stop us from trying something new and confine us to old ways of thinking. We become judgemental and less tolerant of differing opinions.
What can we do to challenge our limiting beliefs, negative thoughts and change our perspective?
We can use mindful reflection to intentionally change our thinking and behaviour.
Whenever you’re feeling judgemental of yourself or others and feeling stuck or discouraged, why not try pausing and take a few moments to reflect on the situation. Ask yourself:
What’s really happening here?
How is it making me feel? What am I thinking right now?
Is there any other way I can look at this situation? How would a change in perspective make me feel?
Practicing intentional mindful reflection is particularly helpful when thoughts cause anxiety, frustration or even anger.
If you have time, then you may want to roll out your yoga mat and engage in a slow mindful yoga practice. Move your body and notice your breath. Moving and breathing often help shift perspective. If you don’t have time, then stopping to take a few mindful breaths will definitely help. If we can slow down our breathing and reset our nervous system, we’ll make better decisions.
Here’s a short visualization meditation to try the next time you need a little shift in perspective:
Mindset Shift Visualization
Sit up tall in your chair or lie down comfortably on the floor or your bed. Feel your body where it connects to the surface beneath you. Take three slow, deep breaths and try to let go of your thoughts.
Once you are feeling calm, visualize yourself standing in front of a window. Look outside the window and picture a problem you are currently experiencing. (Pick something that is mildly annoying or distressing, but nothing really traumatic). Look at all the details of the situation through the window and let yourself feel all the sensations that arise in your body. Notice your emotions and how this situation makes you feel.
Turn away from the window, take three more deep breaths and still your mind as best you can.
Now, cross the room and go to another window and look outside. Visualize the situation above as you would like it to be. Picture it in detail and notice how this new way of seeing the situation makes you feel in your body. Stay here as long as you like.
What is different about the view from this window? How can you move closer to achieving the feeling that you want? What steps can you take to reach your goal?
When you’re ready, leave the window and allow yourself to breathe and relax. Gently open your eyes and notice how you feel. Spend some time writing about your experience in your journal.
In doing this visualization, or by taking just a minute or two to breathe and reset, you may be able to shift your thinking and your perspective.
As we reach the end of 2020 and begin a new year, instead of making new year’s resolutions it’s a great time to start shifting our thinking and loosening our limiting beliefs. When you change general resolutions to setting specific mindful intentions, you’ll be well on your way to changing your thinking and creating the life you want.
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I’d love to hear from you so please send any comments or questions to me at sharon@sharonashtonmindfulyoga.com. Feel free to share this email with anyone else who may be interested.
You are also invited to join my free Facebook group The Journey Within Mindful Yoga and Life Change Community here: