I have been teaching all month long the idea that if we were using a monocular to view our problem(s), we would be blocking out everything else. Including any sort of possibilities of beauty, solutions, hope and much more.

How many times in your life can you recall being so focused on the problem that you may have missed everything else? You might have even missed a solution to the problem.

You may have been following along the last six months I have been struggling with a hip replacement that has been anything but easy. If I use a monocular to stare at my hip all day long and focus on the pain, limitation and fear, I would miss everything else in my life.

Certainly there are moments when the hip is so distracting this is challenging. Even in those moments, I still have choice as to what I focus on. When I begin to widen my lens a bit I can see possibilities, beauty, and what lies in my vision.

How to Widen Your Lens

When it comes to seeing more than the problem, I have found the following ways to help me put down the monocular:

• Gratitude. I say it over and over, but it really is the fastest way to broaden your view on life. Shifting from “I have” to “I get” immediately opens you to a better place.
• Take a deep breath. Simply closing your eyes and taking 3-5 long meaningful breaths can start to open up your perspective to something bigger.
• Spend time outside. Taking a few minutes to notice the textures, colors and shapes of your outside environment can move you from the feeling of tunnel vision to a larger view.

Simple, yes? Watch my latest podcast to learn more!