While leaving the office one evening in December, I saw the most beautiful, full rainbow. It literally stopped me in my tracks. I physically had to stop the car in the parking lot and get out to take a picture. Being present in the moment wasn’t enough. I was captivated and wanted to capture it in a picture to remember it.
By the time I left the parking lot and got on the main road, the full and bright rainbow turned into just a small glimpse. Between the changes in my angle, the clouds in the sky, and the space between the parking lot and the road, I was left with only a small fraction of the whole rainbow. My physical distance and the change in my angle changed my whole perspective of what was there. The whole rainbow was still there, I just saw it differently. As I continued my commute, less than five miles down the road, I was shocked at how much the sky could change. Cleared from the clouds and the mix of rain was now a clear blue sky with white streaks from a couple of airplanes. I could no longer see any remnants of the rainbow.
Did you know that rainbows are actually full circles?
Most of us only see a fraction of the rainbow when we see the arc. Optically, rainbows make a full circle. The rainbow in the sky had me thinking about perspective and how we view our problems through a particular lens. Rainbows are subjective optical illusions. An optical illusion is defined as, “a trick the eyes play on the brain, an error in the brain’s interpretation of information the eyes provide.”
Have you ever considered that the lens that we view our problems through may be an optical illusion? I’m not suggesting that our problems and stressors don’t exist. Jesus reminds us of this truth in John 16:33, “In this world, you will have trouble.” While our problems are real, could our eyes be playing a trick on the brain so that we possibly misinterpret the information?
If you find yourself stuck with limited perspective, here are a few steps you can take.
- Step back and seek some distance from the problem/stressor. Just as my view of the rainbow changed as I changed location, the same is true with our stressors. Take a break. Change your scenery. Go for a walk or find a way to move your body to “distract” yourself from the stress.
- Get curious about your perspective. I challenge you with the next stressor that you face, remember a rainbow as a full circle. Chances are that you’re only seeing a fraction of your stressor. Be gentle with yourself and lean in with curiosity. Explore what other options or perspectives there may be that you’re not seeing.
- Focus on what you can control. “Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t” (Steve Maraboli). I love this reminder to shift our focus to what is within our control so that we can see change happen. Don’t get stuck focusing on what is outside of your control. You have more control than you think; you may just be looking in the wrong direction.
- Remember Who is in control. John 16:33 states that there will be trouble in this world, but Jesus provides hope when he reminds us, “take heart! I have overcome the world.” You may find yourself in a tough season right now, but take heart. This season won’t last forever. God is with you in it.
If you are struggling to change your perspective, know that you aren’t alone! I’m here to help and would love to work with you. I’m currently accepting new clients.
Written by Heidi Sawyer, MS, LPC
Roswell Location
heidi@restorationcounselingatl.com, 678.534.3824, ext 116
Heidi works with adolescents and adults with life planning issues, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, spiritual issues, grief, life transitions, goal setting, and self-confidence. She focuses on helping her clients gain insight to their thought patterns, behaviors, and feelings using the lens of Cognitive Behavioral Theory combined with psychoeducation. Heidi also provides premarital counseling using the Prepare/Enrich program.