Day 338 Rocks and Marzipan

November 12, 2015

(If we live with an open and grateful attitude, every day will bring a gift. This is one of 365 gifts during the year I turned 70.)

One thing for certain in life is change. Too often, it is the older population who chain themselves to their past and who tightly hold onto their old grudges and disagreements. If only they would practice shifting their perspective, change might be a positive thing.

My mother is an example of this. She was hospitalized for nearly a week and her best friend never came to visit her and or even call her. When my mother recovered and confronted her, the friend said she had been busy with family matters. My mother was hurt; her friend thought my mother did not understand. After that conversation, they never forgave one another and refused all contact. Because these two old women stubbornly held tight to their grudges, they missed a relationship that might have continued for another 40 years.  What is especially sad is when this happens, the hurt and hate turn into rocks that weigh down heavy on the spirit.

I believe if we are open to change and forgiveness within ourselves, if we are open to evolving and looking through new eyes, then our changed perspectives can bring beauty, delight, happiness and connections—both in little everyday things and with other people. 

Our friend Jeremy from Germany visited recently and brought us Marzipan candy from Lubeck, Germany—his region. As I went through the candy, my perspective began to change. First the gift was a visit from our friend. After he left, the gift became delicious candy, which I chewed and savored in my mouth. As I looked at the empty gold foil wrapper, instead of discarding it immediately, I folded it once and again over and over until I saw a fish instead of foil. The Japanese understand how the ordinary piece of paper can come alive as art. The big surprise, however, was when I looked at the empty clear plastic box that had once help all the chocolate pieces. To my eyes, it was a piece of art—vibrant gold with a bluish tinge. From candy to art with a shift in perspective…

The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” ~ Albert Einstein 

My gift today is changing perspectives. 

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> Day 339 Lens Lessons

You can find links to my other posts on this project here:
http://bjschupp.blogspot.com/2014/12/365-gifts.html