Perspective by Laurie Buchanan
Our perspective is the lens through which we view life. It impacts the way we experience people, places, and things; and has a direct correlation to how we respond to life’s ups and downs. In fact, our perspective creates our world. In her book, You Can Heal Your Life, Louise Hay wrote, “What we think about ourselves becomes the truth for us. I believe that everyone, myself included, is responsible for everything in our lives, the best and the worst. Each one of us creates our experiences by our thoughts and our feelings.” By changing our thoughts, we can change our life.
In my experience I know this to be true. That’s why I’ve chosen to let go of errors of the past, to forgive myself and others, to fill my world with joy, and to live a life of gratitude—regardless. It’s been said that enlightenment is letting go of everything we believe that’s not benefiting us. With thankful heart, I accept the peace of enlightenment.
“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
– Laurie Buchanan
www.HolEssence.com
Copyright © 2010 Laurie Buchanan — All Rights Reserved.
Tuesdays with Laurie 
Good Morning Laurie
It is a beautiful Day! I am in Carpentersville having a lovely coffee and enjoying the sun basking through the back of the space.
Thanks for the heart and the reminder this morning to listen with the heart!
I woke up this morning to a 52 inch TV on my dinning room table, a TV stand sitting in the front entrance way, a small refridgerator, two big grey bins, and my hubby doing Amanda laundry. I don’t know where Amanda is? I hope she soons shows up. (LOL)….
I am doing an inspectionin Elgin today, as I am sitting here a little bit until the site opens at 8:30. I will probably go there at 9:30, I like to give them time to open before I hit the front door!
Thanks for the great perspective this morning. The Benefit was tremendous.
NOTE: New E-mail- Snoopykg2@aol.com
I was having virus issues big time and could not get rid of it! This was a huge decision after 20 years with the same e-mail!
http://butterfliesgalore.wordpress.com
Kim
Kim – A 52 inch television? That’s like going to the drive-in movies! So I take it that Amanda’s home for the summer. One more person for Oreoz to play with! The photographs you posted on your blog — ButterfliesGalore — of the storm damage from the other night are amazing. I’m sure glad that nothing hit the propane tank on the BBQ grill! Thank you for the visit, I hope you have a nice, relaxing weekend.
Simply beautiful. Now the trick is to REMEMBER when there is a sudden shift in our perception and our gratitude glasses get knocked off, we just need to adjust the screws on the frame and make them a little tighter to avoid such mishaps.
Thanks for the reminder!
Lisa – You’re back! I want to hear all about your talk with the Minister of Education in the Bahama Islands (not sure if that’s his correct title). By chance, have you written about it somewhere that I can point other people to as well? I’m glad you stopped by today.
(And if tightening the screws doesn’t work, I’ll use duct tape. That oughta do the trick!) …
So healthy Laurie, so true! Your words are like fresh water to the soul.
Love, Jeannie
“… like fresh water to the soul.” Thank you, Jeannie. I’m glad for your visit.
Laurie you shared this quote or expression
“…that enlightenment is letting go of everything we believe that’s not benefiting us.” and I concur.
At first read I saw the word perception: “the act of perceiving, consciousness, observation, mental image.” ( Webster’s)
Than as I came respond after our second walk in the wood, no photo taking this morning, I needed to just be, to touch, to feel, the energy of evolution around me. The word shifted to perspective: “to look through, see clearly, aiding the vision, relating to or seen in perspective.” (Webster’s)
Yet my thoughts wondered to the attitude, clutter in the mind, expectations of a thing or event, or a way something is suppose to be present. Yes we bring our thoughts, our past, even our projections to our perception, perspective to inform, color our world, create safety or fill our needs.
Last evening I went to an Artist Reception, the art was truly amazing once I spent time with it, moved our of my conceived Idea of what art and creativity is to me. The art was created with found object, many created into huge chandelier’s hanging from the gallery ceiling, others where rusted cans, trash, lined up, incased in plexiglass. As I caught me breath, congratulated my friend on his work and exhibit, continuing to shift my perspective, to listen to others talk about the pieces, I came to an new appreciation of the art, the imagination, the creativity.
I experience a shift in perspective and perception each time I read your blog or receive a message from you. We could even go back to Terrill Welsch’s Blog of yesterday, http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/riot-of-colour/ and her Sprout question: How do you break free of your habitual way of seeing? For this too is a way of seeing, and being.
I am Love, Jeff
Jeff – I’m smiling with delighted glee that your words made it to my blog. Thank you for this gem. I love what you shared, especially about the shift in perspective you had at the Artist Reception last evening.
PS: I should have saved this for my own blog!
The power of perspective… one of my gifts in life has been my optimistic perspective – it came naturally like a native plant on fertile soil. So much so that when something annoying or tragic happens my family and friends wait to see what I am going to say. I am not usually aware of it in the moment because I am upset. But when they grin or giggle at each other…well what can I say? So here are just a few ways we can easily shift our perspective to gratitude…
“It could have been worse. I am so glad that….”
“Since that happened, now I can…”
“When we have done the best we can then everything will work out as it should… I wonder what good things are coming that I don’t know about yet?”
If you notice I always give room to (even if briefly) to acknowledge the disappointment or loss – this is I think is part of being able to be grateful. It is sometimes out of the wisps of despair that gratitude brushes her graciousness into our perspective.
Oh thank you Laurie for holding this space this morning:) I’m done musing now – and on your blog at that!
Terrill – I so appreciate that you shared real-life examples, thank you! And that you don’t sugar-coat anything. Rather, you acknowledge the disappointment or loss. To my way of thinking that is part of the healthy equation. Have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be looking forward to the next T3: Tuesday and Thursday with Terrill on Creative Potager.
Oh Jeff I am so glad you didn’t save your comment for your own blog because it makes me feel so much better for having posted my musings as well.
Laurie I think you have sparked deep sentiments this morning in a time when gratitude is one of the riches and healthiest human resource we have to offer.
Terrill and Jeff – I’m glad I got BOTH of your GEMS. Whoohoo! It enhanced the cargo, thank you!
p.s. thank you Jeff for the mention of Creative Potager… hugs and the best of Friday to everyone!
Terrill,
My honor to mention your blog and to be part of that wonderful perspective into creativity and spirit!
Thank you also for your musing, as well as enjoying mine.
I think we just took over Laurie’s blog?
OOOOOh Laurie,
Always a timely blog…..Are you psychic?
The Power of Perspective
Now I have much to say on this subject, since it too has much to do with self confidence, self esteem and self awareness.
Yes, what you say to yourself, the words you choice definitely have a effect on how you react to the people and events around you.
But also what you say and do out loud have an equal effect on the way others react to you.
As you know and let me fill in other’s, I am preparing for an art exhibit myself.
Here is a little example of good and bad thoughts.
I am a member of a art group, most all of the artists are photo realism artist, I however am more conceptual, abstract…I was feeling a little doubtful and lost some of my self confidence in my artwork. I was thinking maybe my work is not Good Enough for the show,(blah, blah, blah)
Laurie, gave me a better affirmation. Thank You.
Good Thoughts; when the news article came out about the show, I was hardly mentioned. Once again feeling not so good, my son said to me, “What a Great Article” not being mentioned gives you a chance to blow them a way with your artwork. Let your work do all the talking for you.”
Wow, Laurie, my 26 year old son gets it.
It’s time I step up.
Words, matter!!! Everyone of Them!! Use them wisely.
~Jean
P.S. This is the article
http://www.elkodaily.com/articles/2010/05/13/lifestyles/doc4bec2d10e24f4745310737.txt
Jean – Your son’s observation is brilliantly spot on! Thank you for the link to the article. The inclusion of red on 3 foot by 3 foot frameless canvas where the painting wraps around the sides as a continuation of the art … that’s gonna be fantastic! I sure do hope you’ll take photos and share them with us!
EVERYONE – I’m in-between clients and only have a moment to reply. I will come back later and reply individually. The ship has not been commandeered; rather, a load of TREASURE has been added to the hold! Thank you each and every one for the SPECTACULAR GEMS!
This brings to mind Terrill’s “Sailing Ship Navy Channel” http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch/art/5171261-1-sailing-ship-navy-channel
Laurie BUCCANEER
(Sorry, couldn’t help myself) …
Arrr Mattes,
I love a good treasure ship!!
Come along and find out what your pirate name is.
http://www.piratequiz.com/result.php
Good Hunting,
Dread Pirate Read
or
Jean if you must.
I just went out and discovered that my pirate name is MORTY RACKHAM. It says, “You have the good fortune of having a good name, since Rackham (pronounced RACKem, not rack-ham) is one of the coolest sounding surnames for a pirate. Arr!”
Ok
You all are having too much fun with this.
My pirate name is MAD JENNY VANE!!!
Every pirate is a little bit crazy. You, though, are more than just a little bit. You tend to blend into the background occaisionally, but that’s okay, because it’s much easier to sneak up on people and disembowel them that way. Arr!
Look out!
Mad Jenny Vane – No parrott on your shoulder. Rather a fierce and protective companion — Oreoz. We’ll steer a wide berth until we’re well in your wake.
If we shift our perspectives, miracles happen. It’s just that sometimes it is so challenging to shift that perspective, darn it. Maybe we just need to lubricate our perspectives? LOL!
Kathy – Well now that’s a hum-dinger of title for the next bestseller: “Lubricate Your Perspective!”
Looks like a trip to the drug store is in order!!
LOL
Kim
Hey Kim! According to Google Weather, it appears that we’re in for a rainLESS weekend — whoohoo! I hope that you and OREOZ get out and about and enjoy the bajeebers out of yourselves!
Thanks
OREOZ and I were outside this afternoon, watching the sawing of the tree limb….What a mess. Joey was a great help, he had most of it done before Mike got home.
I am driving south on the way to St Louis for all of next week. I head out on Sunday. Hope weather will hold, nothing worse than driving in a rainstorm with constuction and paving going on.
Stopped by at Holessence, were you there? It was about 4pm? Len said I should fly a little plane to St Louis, like that is going to happen!!LOL
Have a great day at work tomorrow…
Kim
Sorry that I missed you, Kim. I was with a client. I hope your trip to St. Louis is outstanding. We’re supposed to have a completely rain-free weekend.
Hey Laurie
I’ve just spent 2 days watching my work colleagues run round like headless chickens while I sit there like calmness personified, fixing their problems for them.
Every so often I wander round to the far side of the office where my old friend Anthony is sitting in a similar situation. We sit in discussion, like 2 gurus contemplating the fate of the world, and all the managers back off to a respectable distance to let us get on with it (just as well really as we spent most of todays discussion organising nights out to coincide with the World Cup)
I really think the rest of them could do with some of your calming words…
Best wishes as always
Oh my gosh Kevin — I can just SEE you and Anthony, looking for all the world like two serious-faced surgeons discussing the main incision prior to brain surgery; yet you’re REALLY planning to be outrageous! Good for you! Go down to the link Jean provided and find out your pirate name. Len just discovered that he’s “Bloody Roger Kidd.” Good to hear from you. Have a terrific weekend!
Laurie, this is so interesting. I was reading in The Fifth Agreement last night that when we remember our past, if we recreate it in our minds, we feel the same feelings we had then, and the result is like it just happened 10 seconds ago, even if it happened 10 years ago. Letting go of anything that makes me feel bad sometimes takes a little bit of work (okay, sometimes a WHOLE LOT of work), but it is worth it.
Barbara – “…but it’s worth it.” Damn straight! (did I just say that?!)
Well my pirate name is Morty Rackham and that is RACKem not Rackham… I couldn’t tell if I had a peg leg or not… but I was sure I spotted a parrot over in the corner. Thank you Jean and thank you Laurie for the your mention and link to my photo… what a fun post! The ship sitting low in the water with holds filled with treasures.
Sail us away Captain Laurie!
Terrill (er, Morty) – I just knew we were separated at birth, that’s my pirate name too!
Well, I’ll be Laurie! Does this make us sisters or brothers?
Terrill – that made me laugh right out loud!
Girls and Guys too,
when you go to the prirate site you have to “try agian” there are 20 questions (easy questions) you have to answer for your very own name.
Good Luck
Jean – Thank you for the clarification.
Well I be Mad Davy Cash from now on me hearties!
Ahoy there Mad Davy Cash! I hope your weekend is filled to the gunwales with swashbuckling excitement instead of swabbing the decks!
Laurie, how much fun was that!! By the time I had finished reading all of the comments (and figuring out my pirate name) I had to go back and reread your post to refresh my memory. Ah, yes…perspective. This was it all started. How perfect!
….a manual edit. Meant to say that this was how it all started!!
Colleen – I’m glad you stopped by for a fun read. This is a mighty gruesome crew we’ve got here!
Hi Laurie
Agree with much of what you say on perspective.
I would add the caveat, that there is reality, rocks, grass, bird, sky etc that is real whatever we think of it.
Having said that, most of what we take to be real is based on our distinctions and declarations, which are in large part determined by culture and habit.
It takes a lot of training and awareness to distinguish these stories, distinctions and declarations, and to learn to hold them “lightly”, and remain open to possibility.
Learning to become aware of, and to trust our own intuitions is the most difficult.
Some say “If you cannot lead follow”, I say, neither follow nor lead, but be your own captain.
I heartily agree that there is no use in harbouring any regret or anger – what has been has been – accept it.
I also heartily agree that we are powerful to the extent that we remove that from our lives that does not serve us, and acknowledge all that supports us (as in “that which does not destroy us makes us stronger”).
I encourage all people to explore their cultural beginnings, and then to choose to move beyond them, into “post cultural awareness”, where we see all life as part of one great family.
No culture is necessarily any better or worse than any other, and everyone needs some sort of culture to start in.
So – here’s to a future of choice, love, cooperation; a life where money is a tool not an end, and where each of us acknowledges the need of children for culture, and the need of adults to step beyond culture.
Arohanui
Ted
Good caveat, Ted – thank you. Oh boy howdy do I ever resonate with your statement, “Some say, ‘If you cannot lead follow,’ I say, neither follow nor lead, but be your own captain.”
Further, I’m in total agreement that all life is part of one great family.
My figurative glass is raised to your toast, “Here’s to a future of choice, love, cooperation; a life where money is a tool not an end, and where each of us acknowledges the need of children for culture, and the need of adults to step beyond culture.” Cheers!
Thank you for this and all the beautiful comments. This one is a masterpiece that can transcend all time. I feel observation is such a key thing too & wanted to add it to this blog. One of my favorite tools is to just observe. It helps me to expand my view on life. Group Hug!!!
Kathy – Observtion! That’s a delicious word and action. I’m so glad you added that gem to the treasure ship, thank you
Such a powerful observation Kathy 😉
To be able to hold our expectations at bay long enough to catch a glimpse of what is really there – that is one of the key skills any of us can develop. As you say, it is the singular key to personal growth. Without it, we are condemned to be forever within our existing distinction set.
Laurie, and all , who else noticed that the first sentence here is “Our perspective is the lens through which we view life” ?
Well I can only imagine Laurie that you have a Len’s view on life whenever you want. But for most of us posting here our perspective is more influenced by a Laurie!
(Man! I am such a smart a** at times, and at other times just a clever clogs.) I do get a kick out of the Laurie perspective and the additional perspective everyone else adds here! Now back to my cyberscreenplay: http://anewgaia.ning.com/profiles/blogs/a-cyberscreenplay-by-mike
Mike – I think what you’re saying is that I should have said, “Your perspective is the lens through which you view life.” And you’re right! Thank you.
I can see that your cyberscreenplay is a virtual hit — whoohoo! – thank you for the link. Have a great weekend!
Arrgh from Bloody Ethel Kidd. It appears I am related to Len in some way!
Then you keep really good company Bloody Ethel Kidd ’cause he’s the cream of the crop! (except on his bad days when he makes people walk the plank) …
My pirate name is:
Morty Rackham
You have the good fortune of having a good name, since Rackham (pronounced RACKem, not rack-ham) is one of the coolest sounding surnames for a pirate. Arr!
Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.part of the fidius.org network
Then you and Terrill and I must be triplets that were separated at birth! (Shhhhh, maybe the rest won’t catch on that it’s obviously an sneaky pirate plan to divide and conquer — to overtake the world. You’ve been neatly planted in France, Terrill is in Canada, and I’m in the United States). Arr!
Everyone – Once I post my blog on Sunday morning I’ll be offline for 12 hours in response to Kathy’s challenge here: http://upwoods.wordpress.com/2010/05/15/turn-off-your-computer/#comment-3000
I just answered your comment on my blog, Laurie. You are such a sport! You always take things and go with them with so much presence. At least that’s my perspective. tee hee!
Kathy – I just saw that (you may have already logged off). If not, there’s one more taker — Kim’s gonna join in too!
Having two Blackberrys, a netbook, a laptop and two desktops, between work and home, I am ready for this challenge….I will be doing it for the whole day tomorrow, baring my cell and audio music from it, as I am driving to Southern Illinois.
I will not be on, which will be a challenge with being in the hotel tomoorow afternoon and evening! I will see what other toys I can find…..It will also be a challenge not to answer messages on my phone…Twitter, facebook, e-mail, wordpress, etc….
Kathy thanks for the challenge,
Kim
Kim – You go, girl! Whoohoo! Drive safe and sound. We’ll compare notes when you’re back online. Once I post in the morning (usually by 7am), I will be off the internet 12 hours (back on around 7pm-ish). We’ll compare notes once you’re back online. Goodnight.
So happy to hear you both succeeded, Kim and Laurie! Wooo-hooo!
[deep curtsy, wide grin]
“By changing our thoughts, we can change our life.” This is so true and has definitely worked for me. The importance of forgiving self and others and letting go of the past cannot be underestimated!
Barbara – I have found forgiveness to be like a key that let’s us out from behind bars.