We receive perspective in so many ways—maybe we solicit others’ opinions, have a quiet moment in nature or even a loud moment in traffic, gain new ideas and direction from a long conversation, or get inspired by a passing image, a sound or particular text. We have a choice with what we do with perspective—maybe we shift, and maybe we don’t.

Recently I had what I’d call a gem of perspective, received in passing and from a neighbor. I smirk now, just knowing how much his words offered me such an honest, interesting pondering. Just back from a lovely weekend away to one of my favorite Colorado places, Buena Vista,  this past Sunday night, I was unloading my car and had my dog Harley in tow. When a certain male neighbor, whom I’ve known for several years, also arrived home and said hello, he asked how my weekend had been. After just a few sentences exchanged, and my professed fascination and amazement with Buena Vista, CO, I admitted, “Each time I’m there, I find myself wondering what it would be like to live there… but I think it would be too difficult to find Mr. Partner.”

The Gem of Perspective from Said Neighbor: “Well, you’ve been here in Boulder all these years and haven’t found him here, either.”

There was a half-second of feeling some sting from his words, but they washed over me many times this past week and insisted I consider that possibilities lie everywhere. We work so hard to talk ourselves out of so many things. By no means does this story end with “Buena Vista, here I come!”—at least for now. But I just loved that little unexpected moment where I stepped out of a very old box. I needed that.

© 2012 Erika M. Schreck. All rights reserved.