Reframing and adjusting one’s view on life is a conscious practice.  Perspective determines the state of one’s contentedness. Happiness cannot always be achieved and isn’t always appropriate, but one can certainly be content in knowing that he or she is doing the best thing possible in the moment by being aware of the perspective or vantage point the situation is being viewed from and reframing when necessary.  Knowing that the lens I am viewing the world through is cracked or clouded by my own personal issues or thoughts demands me to adjust my understanding. Reframing one’s experience and view is essential to managing a contented life.

I have trouble with this at night.  Night time brings a sense of singularity or seclusion to  my mind and for some reason I struggle with perception and perspective in the wee morning hours.  I lose my sense of compassion and tolerance. I wrap the blankets of my past around my sagging, shivering shoulders as if they will console me but they never do.  They are the wraps that were created during my childhood, adolescence and early adulthood that were pieced together from experiences I had, but they are no longer appropriate or warming.  They are fraught with holes and tears in their fabric;they no longer comfort me. The chill night air breathes through them and the doubts and uncertainties pass over me easily. At these times the visions and perceptions are clouded by my inability to soothe and warm myself.  My ability to refocus and reframe are impaired as I clutch the sparse past to my body in a vain attempt for warmth and satisfaction.

Morning brings the light and awakening that rewarms me.  Even without a sunrise, the retreating of darkness that does accompany daybreak allows me to better view the world as a place I can navigate and tolerate and even enjoy.  How does daylight loosen my grip on a holey patch of the past? I am not really clear. I would like to be able to explain how I am able to let go and grab a new lens at times but I am not certain of the mechanisms that give me this strength.  Better understanding is what I seek. All of this is so nebulous and ethereal yet powerful and real enough to stop me in my tracks at times. Knowing my lens is cracked but not knowing how to switch it out is frustrating and disheartening.

What allows you to switch your focus? What practices do you have to keep the self-doubts at bay?