Real Perspective

I was reminded today of the importance of perspective. Everyone handles situations so differently.  I usually relate this as pain is pain, whether it's pain in your toe or pain from treatment. We have to be careful not to negate other's feelings because we don't think their situation is that significant. Now, it's wise to get a little perspective for your own self on that.  It's good to think about how your situation is in relation to another's just to keep yourself in check. This can go too far though.  One might say, "I had a terrible day and I'm sad about it." A response could be, "Well at least you're not dying of cancer." While this statement is accurate, and one would definitely be a more difficult circumstance than the other, we need to be sure to have compassion for one another. This was something I saw my mother do beautifully as she fought her cancer battle. When life seemed to have it's difficult moments, and I didn't want to "complain" because I wasn't "dying of cancer," Mom would encourage me to talk through those tough times with her. Even when they seemed petty to me, they were important to her. Her compassion was present and her concern for my well-being was completely selfless. This is what real perspective is...being amidst the trials of your own life and having compassion for other's trials, whether great or small.