This year, one of the themes for me so far has been about perspective. I had to really deal with how I interpret situations, and be careful not to compare my world with others. I had to realize that I needed to stop focusing on what others had and focus on my personal accomplishments as I push forward with my hopes and dreams. Take this picture for example. One person can look at it and automatically assume that someone most be lost on the side of an abandoned road with no help in sight. While another person can assume that this is the view from a person taking a stroll as they hike along side mother nature in peace, and in solitude while basking in the beauty of fall. You see how your perspective can shape your experience? It's crazy, the mind is so powerful, and has the ability to shape how we view and engage with life. So let's get started on shifting our perspective!
It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of wanting more. We constantly see what others have—whether it’s a better job, a nicer car, a bigger house, or even a more exciting lifestyle. Social media is filled with positive clips of people’s lives, a highlight reel if you will, making it seem like everyone is living the dream. Sometimes, if you aren't careful, you will find yourself wishing that you had what they had. That your life would be so much easier if you could just get to their level. But have you ever stopped to think that you are someone else’s goals?
In our quest for more, we often forget that what we already have is something others may deeply desire. The things we take for granted in our daily lives—no matter how ordinary they seem to us—could be the very things someone else is striving for.
Imagine you own a car. It’s not the fanciest car, maybe it’s a little older, and you’re dreaming of getting a newer and what you consider a much nicer car. As you are daydreaming of this better version of transportation, you see people zipping around in luxury cars, and you can’t help but feel a little jealous. You think, “If only I had that car, my life would be so much better, and I’d be happier.”
But now, picture someone who rides a bike to get around. They see you driving your car and they think, “If only I had a car, life would be so much easier. I wouldn’t have to worry about the weather, biking long distances, or trying to figure out how to carry my groceries home.”
Actually, we can take it even a step further. Imagine someone who doesn’t even have a bike. They’re walking everywhere, trying to make it to work or school in the hot heat, and sometimes heavy rain. They see the person with the bike and wish they had that level of convenience. To them, having a bike would be life-changing.
This chain of perspective goes to show that no matter where you are in life, you’re someone else’s goals. Your car, which you might view as less-than-ideal, is someone else’s dream. The bike, which may seem like a small step up, is still a step up for someone who has nothing.
Maybe those examples didn't register with you. Let’s use having a modest apartment as an example. You dream of owning your own home with a backyard and no connecting wall to noisy neighbors. A place where you can relax and even host those great dinner parties for your friends. You scroll through social media and see beautiful homes with lush gardens, and suddenly your apartment feels small, cramped, and outdated. But consider the person who can barely afford their rent, or maybe they’re couch-surfing, or living with family because they can’t afford their own place. To them, having their own apartment—even a modest one—would be a huge accomplishment. They would love to have their own space, or at least be in a financial situation where they could even entertain the idea of owning a home. You, living independently, with a roof over your head and a space to call your own, represent something they aspire to achieve. And then there’s someone who may be homeless or in transitional housing, just hoping for the stability of having a roof over their head. To them, even a small, shared apartment is a symbol of security and safety. The home you feel dissatisfied with is their ultimate goal.
Maybe you’re in a job that’s decent but not quite where you want to be. You dream of a higher position, more recognition, or a better salary. You see people in top paying positions and think, “Why am I not there yet?” But someone who is unemployed, or struggling to find steady work, would see your position as their dream job. They might be fighting every day to get their foot in the door, applying for positions and getting rejection after rejection. To them, the role you currently have is something they are working tirelessly to achieve. Even someone with a lower-level job at your company might look at your position and think, “One day, I hope I can be where they are.”
These examples highlight one simple truth: no matter what you have or where you are in life, you are someone else’s goals. The things you may see as “not enough” or “just okay” are actually someone else’s dream, something they’re working hard to achieve. Believe it or not, your life is on someone's vision board right now.
This realization can shift your perspective in two powerful ways:
Gratitude for What You Have: Instead of focusing on what you don’t have or what you still want, you can take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come and what you’ve already accomplished. That car, that apartment, that job—you once wished for these things too. Gratitude brings contentment, and contentment allows you to enjoy the present moment instead of always chasing the next best thing.
Empathy for Others: Understanding that others are striving for what you already have can foster a deep sense of empathy. It reminds you that everyone is on their own path, and just as you’re working toward something greater, so are they. It creates a sense of connection, knowing that we all have goals, but we’re all at different stages in our journeys.
Know that it is important to have dreams and aspirations. That growth is essential, and striving for more can be a healthy motivator. But at the same time, don’t forget to celebrate your current achievements. You know the saying, "You're living one of your answered prayers." What you have today might be what you prayed for or worked hard for in the past.
The next time you find yourself feeling like you’re behind, or wishing you had something different, take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come. Appreciate the car that gets you from point A to point B, the apartment that gives you a place to call home, and having a form of employment. In someone else’s eyes, you are living their dream. And that’s something to be incredibly proud of.
ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is all about perspective. While it’s natural to want more, it’s equally important to pause and recognize that someone out there wishes they had what you have. The more you practice gratitude for your current life, the more fulfilled and balanced you’ll feel.
So, the next time you catch yourself wanting what someone else has, remind yourself: you are someone’s goals.
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