Our puppy, Devi, has discovered an unusual place to hang out: perched on top of the back of our couch. Here she is, surveying the world from above while my daughter Ruchi and I occupy the more conventional seating below.
At first, I thought it was just another one of her quirky habits. But I’ve come to appreciate the wisdom in her choice. Altitude changes perspective. From up there, Devi can see more of what’s happening. She’s still close to the people she loves, but she has a different vantage point.
We spend so much of our time immersed in the activity of our lives : solving problems, responding to demands, navigating relationships , and we rarely stop to change our perspective. Yet sometimes the most valuable thing we can do is find a little altitude.
Step above the immediate problem. Look beyond the next deadline. See the larger patterns. Notice possibilities that aren’t visible from where we usually sit. That’s one of the main reasons I have employed a coach when I am not getting the results I want.
Here’s what I particularly like about Devi’s approach: She doesn’t have to leave the family to gain perspective. She’s right there with us, just looking at things from a different angle.
“It is not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
– Henry David Thoreau
