Hi Im Juli (Peaceful Healer), and welcome to Tuesday Musings, where we take a moment to slow down, reflect, and explore new ways of seeing the world. Today, we’re talking about the power of perspective—how shifting the way we look at things can bring clarity, peace, and a deeper appreciation for life. Let’s dive in."There’s a moment I return to often. I was standing outside one evening, watching the sky shift colors just before sunset. A soft breeze moved through the trees, and for no particular reason, I felt it—the simple, undeniable truth that life is awesome. Not because everything was perfect, but because in that moment, I was truly seeing it. The warmth of the light, the movement of the world, the sheer aliveness of it all.
It made me think: so much of how we experience life depends on how we see it. Our perspective is our lens, and the way we shift that lens changes everything. Today, let’s explore the power of perspective—how zooming in, zooming out, and seeing life differently can transform not just our thinking, but our entire experience of the world.
Zooming In: The Beauty of DetailsWhen we zoom in, we slow down. We notice. We shift our focus from the overwhelming vastness of life to the moment in front of us. This can be as simple as:
* Feeling the warmth of a cup of tea in your hands.
* Noticing the way someone’s eyes light up when they talk about something they love.
* Listening—not just to words, but to tone, to pauses, to what’s unspoken.
When life feels chaotic, zooming in brings us back to presence. It reminds us that even in difficult times, there are still small, beautiful things happening all around us.
Zooming Out: Seeing the Bigger PictureSometimes, though, we’re too close to something. A challenge feels overwhelming, or a single moment of frustration takes over our entire day. This is when we need to zoom out.
Imagine looking down at your life from a great height, like an eagle soaring above a winding river. From up here, you see the flow of things. The obstacles you’re facing? They’re just bends in the river, part of the journey. The moments that feel so big right now? In time, they’ll settle into place.
Zooming out gives us perspective—it helps us see that we’ve overcome so much already and that what feels like a roadblock today may be the thing that leads us somewhere unexpected and wonderful.
The Empathy Shift: Seeing Through Another’s EyesOne of the most powerful ways to change our perspective is to step into someone else’s. When we pause to ask, What might they be feeling? What’s their story?—it changes everything.
Maybe someone is short with us, and instead of assuming they’re rude, we wonder if they’re exhausted or struggling. Maybe we see someone light up with joy, and instead of just observing, we let that joy touch us too.
The more we practice this, the more we expand our understanding of the world. Empathy isn’t just about kindness—it’s about truly seeing others and, in doing so, seeing ourselves more clearly too.
Time Perspective: Past, Present, FutureThink about a challenge you once faced that, at the time, felt impossible. Now, looking back, you might see how it shaped you, strengthened you, or led you somewhere unexpected.
Perspective shifts over time, and sometimes, reminding ourselves of that can help us hold the present moment with more grace. Instead of being stuck in what’s hard right now, we can ask: How might I see this differently in the future? What’s the bigger story being written here?
Now let’s take a moment to experience a simple breathwork practice—one that can help us shift our perspective anytime we feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from the beauty of the present moment.
Step 1: Center YourselfWherever you are, find a comfortable space and gently close your eyes.
Now bring your awareness to your breath. No need to change anything yet—just notice. Notice the natural rhythm, the rise and fall, the gentle movement of air.
Step 2: The Expanding Breath (Zooming Out)Let’s begin by expanding our awareness.
* Inhale deeply through the nose, imagining your breath creating space within you.
* Exhale slowly through the mouth, releasing tension, letting go of anything weighing you down.
* With each inhale, visualize yourself rising higher, as if looking down at your life from above—seeing the bigger picture, gaining perspective.
* With each exhale, soften. Release. Trust in the unfolding journey.
Take three more breaths like this. Inhale, expand. Exhale, release.
Step 3: The Focusing Breath (Zooming In)Now, shift your focus inward.
* Inhale through the nose, gently, softly, bringing your attention to this very moment.
* Exhale slowly, anchoring yourself in the here and now.
* As you breathe, notice one detail—a sound, a sensation, a feeling of gratitude. Let it fill your awareness.
Let’s take three more breaths like this. Inhale, notice. Exhale, settle into presence.
Closing Breath & IntegrationNow, take one final, deep inhale—feeling both expansion and presence, holding both perspectives at once. And as you exhale, return to your natural breath, carrying this sense of clarity and openness with you.
Breaking Routine: A Fresh View of LifeLastly, sometimes the best way to shift perspective is to change things up. A different route to work. A new place to sit. A conversation with someone outside our usual circle. Even small shifts in routine help us break out of autopilot and see life with fresh eyes.
Closing Reflection:So today, I invite you to play with perspective. Zoom in—find something small and beautiful. Zoom out—remind yourself of the bigger picture. Step into another’s shoes, shift your view of time, or simply do something a little differently.
Because life is awesome. And every moment does count. Sometimes, all it takes to see it… is a shift in perspective.
(Pause for a breath, then gentle closing words)Thank you for sharing this time with me. If this musing resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you shift your perspective when you need it most? Let’s continue the conversation. Until next time, take care and keep seeing the beauty in every moment.
With warmth and light
Juli (Peaceful Healer)
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peacefulhealer.substack.com/subscribe