Seeing Through the Lens of Perspective

Sunrise Light, Blue Ridge Mountains/Western N. Carolina/Photography by Gaye Abbott

It feels to me that curiosity and resilience are critical qualities to have these days. We, being humans, bemoan the state of the world – indeed it is in dire straits ecologically, politically, socially and in so many other ways. Yet, there is a great deal of good, untold beauty, and an abundance of innovation as well – much more than the trauma and violence, war mongering and power struggles.

A new consciousness is being birthed along with clarifying values and what is really important for all life on this extremely interconnected planet. Changing perspective and enhancing curiosity appear to be keys to open those doors to possibility.

“Approaching change with curiosity enhances activity in the hippocampus and promotes neuroplasticity, promoting learning and serving as a barrier to anxiety.” (bigthink.com)

It is easy to say that there is always more than one answer to any challenge or question. But it is often difficult to come out of fight or flight/trauma and into curiosity. In dialog with a cashier at my local grocery store we chatted about challenges and how even having a positive attitude can sometimes be almost impossible when in the midst of something life changing.

For her it was watching her entire house float down the river during Hurricane Helene here in Western N. Carolina in September of last year. Her transparency about it stopped me mid-sentence and all I could say was that I was so saddened to hear that she had to experience that. Still living in a camper her last words to me were “At least I am still here alive and well” and mine to her “I am so happy you are here.” The shift in perspective she made during a time of great personal loss.

Even though I went through the hurricane and its aftermath, talked to people that had great loss, and viewed the devastation from wind and flooding all around me, my home was not taken from me or even damaged. Somehow I was asked to became the one to see through the lens of possibility for ways that I could brighten the day of first responders and community members. Trying to re-frame obstacles into opportunities for myself and others. It is not always easy.

Below you will find a TED talk by Dewitt Jones who was a National Geographic photographer for many years and someone who has a photographers eye for seeing from a context of far more right with the world than wrong. He looks through a lens of celebration and possibility. I invite you to watch the entire video to the very end as you will love what happens when he is taught a very important lesson by a small child – a lens he always looks through now.

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Begin this week with beauty

that can literally

take your breath away.

Weaverville, N. Carolina/Photography by Bruce Eversmeyer 2024

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“Are you discouraged by what’s happening in the world today? THEN WATCH THIS! In minutes, you’ll rediscover the wonders and possibilities that surround us everyday just waiting to be noticed and celebrated. Find out for yourself why former National Geographic photographer Dewitt Jones is considered by thousands to be one of the most inspiring speakers on the planet. Dewitt Jones is one of America’s top professional photographers. 20 years with National Geographic, 10 years creating national advertising campaigns, 2 documentary films nominated for Academy Awards. 20 years speaking to audiences around the world on vision, possibility and celebration.“

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Gaye Abbott, Wildly Free Elder, 05/18/25