I was listening to a story told by Dr. Patrick Quillin yesterday and felt compelled to pass it forward. It’s a story about a 94 year old woman that was asked her secret in maintaining quality mental and physical health. The following expresses the sentiments of her story:
When I was 5 years old my dog died. I was looking out the window and watching my father bury my dog. I was crying uncontrollably and felt great pain in my heart. When my father came inside, he saw me crying as I continued standing at the window staring at the freshly dug grave. He explained to me, “the pain of losing our dog could lessen by simply changing the window I was viewing her life and death from.” He then proceeded to prove his point.
He moved me away from the window to position me in front of another window where I could see four deer playing in the distance. They were playing and rubbing up against each other and enjoying their time together. Watching them made me laugh as I experienced the joy in watching their happiness. The pain in my heart at that moment was gone!
We all suffer great losses in life. This is an unpleasant, yet natural experience. We have a tendency, however, to repeatedly return to these windows that reveal the same painful images causing us great sorrow. Whether it comes from the love and support of another person or the personal willpower within, the willingness to view life from a different window often reveals hidden pleasures. It provides the mind and body a new vision; a new perspective overpowering the paralyzing pain the initial window displayed.
Is it possible one of the major underlying causes of our mental and/or physical problem(s) is the window we regularly stand behind? Has life’s experiences become so challenging and confusing, we’ve learned to find “comfort” behind this isolated window of pain, despair and sorrow?
A new healthier life can be achieved by giving oneself permission to unload harmful emotions. As damaging thoughts are removed, we become more willing to consider new windows that provide experiences supporting healthier living.
All About Healthy Choices 
Interesting post, Jonathan 🙂
I choose to look out at several windows to find something positive, worth looking at.
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You have discovered a wise approach to “viewing” life!
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Thank you. I thought, that I did this before, but I’m maybe more awake after my time at the hospital in this Summer.
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I think we all need a message like this one, Doc. I used to be accused of being a bit of a “PollyAna”, looking at the glass half full, even when it wasn’t. Now, I am grateful for that perspective, it has served me well through life’s challenges. I could have easily become like so many who are “addicted to a certain kind of sadness”…that from a song lyric “Someone That I Used to Know”. Thanks for an important post.
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Thank you for all your honesty in your comment. All of us learn from eachother’s experiences. Those of us choosing to repeat more positive experiences rather than those holding us back are more prone to living a better quality of life. It usually requires a moment to step back and look at ones life from the “outside” in to determine if the current path is destined for better outcomes.
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An interesting post, Dr J and I have someone in my immediate family who is doing just that..I am not going to be the one who suggests they look out of another window as I would be seen as a pariah but I can see that there is a very great danger of this becoming a fact of life and one that she will never change which window she views that scenario from. I agree with what you say and you cannot change the past only the future but some circumstances are so emotive that it would take a brave person to suggest that change but I can see this affecting her life forever…. Some circumstances are just too great for someone to change…It saddens me to see her struggle daily but I also to a point sympathise and wonder would I be the same?
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If there is one thing we can all (mostly) agree on, it’s that life is challenging. This is not necessarily a bad thing, just a reality. How we approach these challenges differentiates the quality of life we experience.
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This is a great message and so very true! It all depends on our view for sure!
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Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on this post. So appreciated.
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Most welcome
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a great write up Dr.Jonathan.I loved reading this touchy article.
Ashok
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Emotions are a good thing to “stir up.” The intention is not to cause “pain” but rather AWARENESS. Until individual value for life becomes a priority, good health will remain a difficult task to achieve and even more difficult (if one does achieve it) to maintain.
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That is one of the best articles I’ve read. Thank you so much for sharing how to lessen the pain and sorrow – simply by changing our view. Thank you Doctor Jonathan, I’ll share this.
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Thank you for your kind words. As people become more aware of their ABILITY to CONTROL their individual lives, self empowerment often results in better outcomes. I simply offer words to help people discover their own individual STRENGTHS to support a better quality of life.
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A different perspective can make a huge difference. Excellent post, as always.
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It first requires us to lower “defenses” to see hidden TRUTHS.
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It’s so interesting that you wrote this post Jonathan, as it’s a subject I’ve been intently focusing on lately and practicing how to shift my thoughts throughout the day towards a better perspective. I think you hit the nail not the head when you said it’s natural for us to gravitate towards dwelling on negative things. Personal freedom is possible but not until we break free from habits like that.
Really, just a wonderful post!
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Thank you, Tricia. The more we’re exposed to hidden truths, the better the chances to effectively transition our lives to satisfy our REAL (often camouflaged) NEEDS.
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I like multiple views.
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Makes for a more interesting world!
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Love this! Thank you for sharing!
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So glad you enjoyed it!
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That’s a great lesson doctor.. we need to shift our perspectives to enjoy the life
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Such an interesting post – sometimes a change of perspective is what we need to improve our lives.
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Couldn’t agree more.
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Wow! Great perspective. I’ve found the most destructive window to look through is the rear-view one. It has been through many hard-lessons which taught me this. Now, by the grace of God I rarely look there. BLESSINGS to you for the reminder to ‘change the view’ whenever (most) necessary.
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Thank you, Dawn.
Each of possess different needs. These needs just might be answered by opening our minds and allowing our eyes to see the world through different windows. If we become fixated and content on viewing the world through just one window, we limit the opportunities hidden by the confines of this homogeneous view.
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Doc, a little twist maybe to your write up – don’t know if it’s apt but here I go using a personal example. I was in Dakar and went to infamous l’ile de Goree and was filled with such sadness looking out through the door of no return. A few months later I look again at the picture I took and see a vast ocean of opportunities if only we dare look and expand our view and thoughts. Don’t know how it relates to your beautiful post but maybe am meaning that sometimes even that same mirror looked at with a different mind set can still affect the quality of our lives?
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I love your perspective. You add an additional option to my equation. This optimistic approach makes an “unhappy” window one worth looking through. The creative mind will find opportunity and positivity where the imbalanced mind will only see pain and sorrow.
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Aha that was it as you so put it
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Love this, I will always move to different window now when the world is to overbearing….thank you
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Wise choice, Kat. When BALANCE in one’s life is restored, perception often changes. You might be surprised to look back out the original window (at the exact same environment) and experience an entirely different reaction.
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That’s what I loved about that post….so many options in life…xx
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Just wanted to let you know you have touched many on my Facebook page with this post…you are making a difference….xx
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Thank you Kat. Glad people were as moved as I was when I heard the story.
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