Perspective

I have a confession.  I’ve been losing perspective.  It happens to all of us.  And I know I’ll get it back—I always do.  I realized it today, where I usually figure out things like this—on the motorbike.  I’ve got some stuff going on, and needed to clear my head.  Before I get into my moment of clarity, let me take a moment to briefly describe one of my passions outside creativity and blogging.  Riding a motorcycle taps into a deep spiritual need that I think we all have.  When you’re on the road—up shifting, down shifting, breaking, leaning and of course squeezing the throttle, you're using every sense that you have and there’s no room to think of much anything else.  It’s you, the road, the sound of the throaty engine and some cars around you which can take you out at any moment.

Today, I was traveling one of my normal routes when I noticed a deer drinking from a puddle along the side of the road.  I didn’t get a picture of the deer—but it did pull over to watch it.  I was probably less than 20 feet away.  I watched that deer for about 5 minutes.  It would gently sip the water.  Lift it’s head.  Look around for a bit—then get back to drinking.  After watching the deer trot away, I fired up the bike again and took off.  Then I had this thought:

I’m not pulling over in life as much as I need to be.

I could have passed by that doe and enjoyed it briefly from afar.  I could have simply continued with the ride.  But something told me to stop and pull over.  And I was glad I did.  Something about watching the animal filled me with peace.  So now that I’ve had a little time to reflect, I’m fairly certain that this was a message.  I need to pull over.  I need to notice the everyday beauty in my own life.  I need to slow that engine down—to downshift with one foot and break with the other.  To gingerly lean and pull over to the side.  I need to take in a few things before starting up again.  I hope I can do it because I know it’s needed.  When you’re riding—you don’t always notice the signs that pass you by.  When you pull over, you see things from a different perspective.

Comments

[Ann Handley]

Excellent message & good writing, David -- it is important to pull over. But as I learned over the past few days -- you have to pull over on your own accord, not because your blog is down!

: )

[Shig]

Well said David. Every time I "pause and reflect," I wonder why I don't do it more often.

Probably a stupid question, but have you read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? Great book. For me, skiing in extreme conditions is one of the activities I do where I can't do or think about anything except for what I'm doing at that moment. It's refreshing.

[DA]

Shig,

I have read "Zen". I relate to when he's talking about his friend loving the ride but not the "maintenance" :)

Good to hear that skiing helps you "get into your zone". Ann—I agree, better to pull over yourself as opposed to having it done for you ;)

[Daria Radota Rasmussen]

Wonderful posts David! You are touching the very important point that concerns everyone. Most of us are fast forwarding through life, in the pursuit of goals, but we lose perspective as we pass by, as we automatize to reach the goals faster. But in fact, we can't be good at what we are doing and at whom we are without stopping by and enjoying, looking at, listening to. Besides, people with limted sight aren't able to explore and discover. I have learned through my mediation and philosophy studies that world is full of miracles and it is wonderful having inner child, who always stops, look at things, wonders and ask questions about things. And I know that this way, you can reach your goals faster than you could imagine. We would be fat better humans, and we would far better at what we are doing, especially in communication business, if we just once stopped and looked around in silence...

cheers and happy "pulling over" :-)

[Stefan]

You're right on. And I would add that we should be open and actively searching to not only "pull over" and add to our own perspective and experience, but surround ourselves with others who are willing to share theirs. It's in the purposeful exchange of perspective that we often find ongoing creativity.

[claudinho]

brilliant post! i did pull over and it's rewarding. i'm happier and more aware of the people, things around me.