“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. Marcel Proust

Marcel Proust, was a French novelist, critic, and essayist. He is considered by critics and writers to be one of the most influential authors of the 20th century.

When a person talks with you about a concept that is foreign to you, do you lean in to listen and consider what is being shared or do you immediately reject the information because it is discordant with your current behaviors or what you’ve been taught to believe?

I freely admit that I was resistant to new concepts and ideas until that fateful night when my husband died next to me in a tragic car accident.  That voice that trumpeted into my head, telling me to “Be Loving and Kind to Everyone” while I was being pulled through my car’s shattered window, profoundly changed my point of view.  I instantly opened to realities not apparent to my naked eye, which challenged me to change my perspectives, open new doors, and make different choices.

One of the most valuable lessons my Life Transition Coach taught me after my husband’s death was to be open-minded to new ways of being and thinking.  She encouraged me to explore new ideas and experiences, assuring me that if I felt too uncomfortable in any arena, I could always walk right back out that proverbial open door.  Learning that I could say “No Thanks” when something or someone didn’t feel beneficial to my well-being was very empowering!

The new thoughts and experiences that resonated with me changed my life for the better and gave me the space I needed to allow precious new friendships to enter my life, while many of the negative, hurtful issues I had been carrying around with me for years were healed and released.

My new eyes have brought people’s life choices into greater focus for me.  I now take note of the resistant person who is so fixed in his or her beliefs and behaviors that positive change in any way is out of the question, and I also notice those who welcome the new ideas and improved attitudes that bring about positive changes of perspective. Those are the ones who appear to walk with a lighter step and a happier heart.

Have you begun seeing parts of your life with “new eyes?” What new idea or experience has changed your perspective and lightened your load?