Perspective

If I had to define my life philosophy in one word, it would be this: Perspective.

How would we know joy from sorrow, light from dark, or pleasure from pain without having experienced both ends of the spectrum? Sure, we might be able to conceptualize one without the other but the ability to truly understand and appreciate the difference comes from having known both.

I had a realization last night: I’m middle-aged. This came as a surprise (as this particular realization does whenever it dawns) — not because I’m unaware of my age (37) but because maturity-wise if not physically I’ve never felt like a proper “adult”.

The next inevitable thought: Shit, I’m old — and my best days are probably behind me. (There was a brief reckoning with mortality, too, given my family history. But I refuse to believe these might actually be my twilight years. Middle-agedom is hard enough.)

But almost immediately after this momentary panic I had a mental shift. I thought: What if my best days and greatest accomplishments are still ahead of me? And what if my age and experience actually puts me closer to those best days and greatest accomplishments?

And that, my friends, is the power of perspective. Once you have recognized the tarnished veneer of reality you can look for the silver linings.

So my cup will always be half full — and I will drink what’s inside, and enjoy every drop. After all, you can always add a little sugar!

JBV