On How Distance Gives Perspective
{July 12, 2022}
- 2 Ideas from others -
“Distance not only gives nostalgia, but perspective, and maybe objectivity.”
- Robert Morgan
Novelist, Literary professor
“Never write about a place until you're away from it, because that gives you perspective.”
- Ernest Hemingway
American novelist, short-story writer, journalist
- 2 Coaching Prompts -
This summer, I went on a fr-amily (friends who’ve become family) trip to the island of Kauai. We had the insane idea to hike the first 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail— aka the Na Pali Coast trail— with 5 kids (ages 13, 10, 7, 3 and 11 mos) and 6 adults.
If you’re not familiar, it’s an incredible 11 mile hike through shaded valleys and towering cliffs. Not the easiest hike to do with a fiercely independent 3 year old, a moody 7 year old, and an anxiety ridden mommy.
During the hike, all I kept thinking was, “One slip. One slip, Pumehana. All it takes, is one slip and one of us is going down the side of the cliff to our death.” Morbid, I know. Welcome to the mind of a mother. (Click here to see actual footage of this on the hike 🥴)
Subscriber First Name, the whole time I was so stuck in that perspective that I couldn’t enjoy the journey or marvel at the wonder and beauty of where we were at… or the fact that we were climbing a world-famous trail, seeing sights that literally some people have on their bucket-list.
It wasn’t until later that night, while we were sitting around the dinner table reflecting on the day, did I truly see the awesome-ness of what we had done.
It wasn’t until I separated myself from the environment— physically, emotionally, mentally— did I appreciate the grit and stamina that we all drew out of ourselves to endure the pain of the present moment.
Recall an experience in the past where you felt so stuck and helpless in the moment. Who were you back then, and what did you believe about yourself in that situation?
Looking back, what have you gained from that experience? What do you believe about yourself now knowing that you’ve endured that hardship?
- 2 Affirmations -
With time and space I see my experiences in a different light
I’ve endured it before, I can do it again
- 2 Resources -
The following resources and links are not affiliated and I do not make a commission on the sale of these products.
Brown Noise — Lately, I’ve been using brown noise to help put me to sleep, and block out the ambient noise of my neighborhood. It’s a lot more soothing than white or pink noise. If you’re having trouble quieting your mind, settle into this noise frequency to soften and relax yourself.
Hapbee Smart Wearable — This device has been a game changer for me. I was diagnosed with ADHD as a kid, but never truly understood the affects and honestly how much it actually affects me. I’ve been using this device to help curb the affects of my lack of focus and impulsivity. I use different blends on the daily, and at night, I place it under my pillow and turn on the “Deep Sleep” blend to get a restorative sleep.
