Webster’s Dictionary defines perspective as:
“the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance.”
Sandy L’s definition of perspective:
“A much needed life experience that helps prevent a sense of entitlement to things that aren’t really that important.”
I think this sense of entitlement is what gets people into so much financial trouble.
Babci’s Extreme Perspective:
Babci has the ultimate perspective. Any life for an able bodied individual in America was better than the life she had…and when she finally got here after 20 years of trying, she was happy to learn that she was not wrong.
Even though she lived in a neighborhood that many would deem unsafe, she grew up during WW2 when entire towns of people were being shipped off to concentration camps to die.
Even though she worked in a dirty factory and lost a finger, she was getting paid and was not in a slave labor camp like my aunt and uncle had to endure for 5 years of their life.
Even though her home was in disrepair when she bought it, it had electricity, plumbing, and heat. To top it off, she had a job so and could afford to pay the utility bills.
Even though she bought her clothes at second hand stores, she had access and money to be able to buy a variety of outfits.
Perspective Can also Change As Your Situation Changes – For Good or Bad
When my mom was on the plane to America, she was at loss as to what to give my uncle for sponsoring her to come to this country. She really had nothing to give but her gratitude. She had an idea when the airplane meals came. Her meal included a fresh orange. This was it! She had never seen or eaten citrus fruit and she was sure this was a gift worthy of her gratitude. She saved this orange and smuggled past customs to be able to give it to him.
They arrived at his home and she was eager to present him with the orange. She pulls it out and he laughs. “You stupid woman, you should have eaten the orange, I don’t need it.” He points to a bowl full of oranges and bananas.
Similarly, people’s perspectives of what’s a want vs a need often gets adjusted after a job loss or starting a family.
As an aside, one of the things my mom did when she got extra money was periodically send a case of oranges to her twin sister’s family in Poland. My cousin told me it was one of her most cherished childhood memories.
How to Adjust Your Perspective
I’m constantly trying to talk myself out of being upset over trivial things.
If I’m having a bad day at work, I try to remember all the people who would trade places with me in a heartbeat. If I’m shopping for a car, I refuse to test drive ones that are outside my price range.
I’m always trying to think of ways to expose my kid’s to some perspective and also keep mine in check. I think living in an average neighborhood helps but I would love to hear people’s ideas.
How has your perspective changed over the years? Please share your story.
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