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Perspective helps us make what matters most matter most.

Our perspective grows in relation to our lived experience.

We can build perspective intentionally through curiosity, reflection, and small daily practices.

Sometimes changing our perspective changes our entire experience. Imagine you're running late. Your shoulders climb toward your ears, your jaw tightens, and suddenly every red light feels personal. Now imagine you're driving that same route to share wonderful news. Same road, same traffic, same amount of time in the car, but an entirely different experience. The situation did not change. The lens did.

As I write about this pillar of Everyday Resiliency in my first book, Calm Within the Storm, “Our perspective is a constellation of attitudes, mindsets, and emotions that form a lens through which we see the world.” (Hanley-Dafoe, 2021, p. 124). It grows in relation to our lived experiences. Developing and practicing an integrated perspective helps us manage challenges, mitigate the impact of stressors, and open the door to learning and growth.

Perspective lets us see and feel our way through the world, show up in the hard parts, and prioritize what truly matters in the big picture.

A Little but Mighty Perspective Shift

One of my favourite perspective shifts happened a few summers ago.

My son Hunter and I had travelled to watch his younger brother, Jaxson, play in a basketball tournament. After warm-ups, we noticed Jaxson taking off his shoes and sitting down on the bench. When I went to investigate, I learned he had left his jersey at the hotel, and his coach's rule was firm: no player plays without the full uniform.

I immediately felt........

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