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RIDE THE WAVE
The Gift Of Perspective
Sometimes it is ushered in during unexpected moments
It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. Henry David Thoreau
Life’s most challenging moments often become unexpected teachers of gratitude. When we’re forced to confront loss or change, we begin to see the simple gifts we overlooked — the luxury of an ordinary day, or the freedom to express displeasure. The feelings don’t disappear, but gratitude can act as a gentle counterweight, helping us find moments of clarity even as we navigate difficulty.
My students come from many lands. Some evenings before class begins we talk about gratitude. I am humbled by their delight in small joys — oranges in winter, the jingle of coins in their pocket or bread on grocery store shelves. It changes my perspective.
Moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting or minimizing difficulties. Instead, it means learning to carry our experiences with us while still taking steps into the future. Sometimes, these steps are tiny, just a small break in routine. Other times, we find ourselves ready to take more significant strides, perhaps with a deeper appreciation for life’s fragility and beauty than before.
You cannot solve a…