Perspective
We continue this week focused on practicing an attitude of gratitude. By practicing gratitude, even when we’re faking it, over time we’ll discover that it turns what we have into enough. It changes our perspective on what “is” and soon it becomes a natural heartfelt act.
Let’s talk about the “faking it” part. Why would we want to say “thank you” to something that we initially know we would not be grateful for—at all? Let me answer it this way…
Yesterday I was pondering this very question while on my daily walk. I thought of a situation that usually triggers me: people who tailgate me, especially if they’re driving a big ole pick-up truck (boput). I drive a little car and all I see when they do that is the boput’s grill—quite menacing.
Ok…a little backstory. Every month I drive up to the “big city” on mostly highways, about 95 miles north of here. I generally drive anywhere from 0-5 miles over the speed limit. So, I’m not slow hogging it, IMO.
Invariably, when I’m in the passing lane, a boput drives right up to my rear bumper—because apparently I’m not going fast enough for them, and they want me out of the way—ASAP. That’s when I let it push my buttons, which means I turn into a passive agressive driver (not a good idea). By the time I arrive for my appointment, though, I’m anxious, agitated, and frustrated—I’ve lost my peace. It takes me a good 10-15 minutes of conscious breathing to get it back.
So back to my walk yesterday. I’m thinking about that situation. To myself, I say “thank you” to boputs tailgating me. It felt weird saying it. The first thing I notice is that it put me in a different state of mind. I asked myself from a place of curiosity: yeah, why would I say “thank you” to someone tailgating my vehicle? Then, rather than being upset about it, I felt calmer. Now, I’m intrigued because I’m going up to the “big city” this week. And weirdly, I’m looking forward to someone tailgating so I can test it out for real. Thus garnering a 180º perspective change.
How about you? Can saying “thank you” to a situation that usually triggers you, change your perspective?
BTW…Here’s the before…the front and back view of today’s puzzle piece and the pretty ceramic box that holds all my numbers from which I randomly choose each day’s puzzle piece number:
Peace & Blessings,
Maureen
The Mandala Lady
Creating Mandalas 🔆 Awakening Inner Harmony
ABOUT THE 2025 Mandalas of the Day
Throughout the year, I’ll be building one large (48”x48”) Tibetan-styled Mandala one piece at a time…one puzzle piece at a time, that is. The mandala design and the reversed puzzle side were printed on artist-quality watercolor paper. The forward facing puzzle side was printed on a 48”x48” wood panel.
Each day, at random, I’ll be painting in watercolors one of the 365 watercolor puzzle pieces, that by the end of the year will become Archangel Mandala #4. Read more about the Archangel Series. The word/message for each piece will be inspired by Melody Beattie’s book “52 Weeks of Conscious Contact”.
Ultimately, the message of this mandala is about how we are all uniquely part of the one.
Mandala of the Day 