Are You Standing Too Close?

           Imagine yourself in an art museum.  Your face is positioned two inches away from a fine painting as you stare at what appear to be globs of color brushed hastily onto the canvas.  That’s how most of us stand in relation to our own lives.

            As observers of life, most of us are guilty of standing too close.  Caught up in our daily routines and responsibilities, preoccupied with our challenges, we may fail to step back and see ourselves for what we really are—living, breathing works of art.

            Your life and the planet on which you live hold little meaning when separated from their broader context.   You need to stand back each day to see yourself as the marvelous brushstroke you are.  Step back farther and understand that you also hold your own palette, brushes, and an infinite combination of colors for your use.  In reality, you are both paint and painter, here to make your own work of art within this art gallery called the world.

            It’s important to use “objective observation” during moments of fear and personal challenge.  Stepping back, through emotional detachment, gives you a fresh perspective.  Becoming a mental eyewitness to your fears positions you to make positive changes in attitude and behavior.  You gain insight and can more easily move forward in healthy, productive ways.