Zoom In: Shifting Perspectives for a Happier Life

Hopscotch is a game that requires a bit of balance and some mental acuity. However, it’s a game nonetheless and shouldn't cause any angst, right? Every single thing in your life is a game and can be related to that. Although some may not seem as such, in the big scheme—and that is our vantage point—it isn't really that big and, in the viewing of it, is really minuscule. If you're able to back away from any situation, whether pleasant or not, it will decrease its effect on the overall big picture. You have the ability to use your built-in zoom feature, to bring tight focus on any given situation or zoom out and see the total picture.

"Rise above" means to back away from, not necessarily physically, but figuratively. At times, it is easier to take your focus and zoom back in order to feel the relief from the situation if it is causing you anything other than neutral or positive (your judgment) feelings. It is your choice entirely what you choose to zoom in or focus on. Make sure it’s what makes you feel better rather than worse. Everything you focus on has the ability to affect you, or not. The emotions you feel, however, are what make you human, so it’s not a bad thing. A computer program, no matter how sophisticated, does not have that ability. So use it to your advantage.

The emotions you feel about anything are your guidance systems that are innate to living creatures. Without sadness, you wouldn’t know the full feeling of joy. The compare and contrast are there to benefit you, so appreciate, however much you are able, even the smallest twinges of worry, guilt, or whatever negative feeling you have, because you know how much better you’re going to feel when you choose to zoom in on something that brings you pleasure. There is always something that will make you feel a little better when you focus on it, rather than the object you’re focusing on now.

Try it, with anything. Big or small, it doesn’t matter. Use your zoom feature throughout your day, as if you were a computer. When you focus on something you find pleasure in, zoom in and tighten down on the focus and feel all the good you can. Milk every bit of the good out of it until you decide to focus on something that feels evenbetter.

Try it.