We can gain new perspective in most situations if we’re willing to flip the score.

What does that mean? I’m referring to a tool to help us look at what’s in front of us with fresh eyes.

We can do this when it comes to our personal, professional or even artistic aspects of our lives.

One way of the flipping the score is by putting yourself in their shoes to fully understand how the other person is feeling. Or maybe you can take someone you know and ask, “what would they do if they were in this situation?” Or you can do the much more common act of asking someone’s else opinion.

The idea is to do something to give us a new way of looking at the picture in front of us – to flip it on it’s head. Often times, we have a reactionary response before thinking it through and considering the consequences.

Just a little effort to refresh our screen’s could make all the difference.

It’s always beneficial for me to remember – and be reminded often – of our finite time on this earth.

It puts into perspective what is important to me and how I shouldn’t take time, anything or anyone for granted. Knowing my encounters with loved ones and the people I care about are limited to a finite number of times, has a way of revealing my gratitude and keeps me focused in the present moment.

These reminders come to me in various ways and there is no other better reminder than death itself. I don’t see it as being morbid, but rather fully aware of the ying and the yang of life.

Although many of us fear the end of our time here, we must acknowledge it and develop a relationship with it if we truly want to live life to it’s fullest.

After all, how would we know happiness without sadness? Pleasure without pain? And Gratitude without resentment?

My idea of living large may be different than anyone else.

For me, it’s not about being flashy with material things, throwing around money and being obnoxious as if to say, “Look at me!”

It’s about living life to it’s fullest to the best of my ability in each and every moment. It’s about saying “Yes!” rather than “no” to the universe. Risking. Not my life, but my ego. Questioning my knowledge and what I believe to be true. And to risk being wrong and looking silly.

For me, it’s about knowing that anything can be the gateway to everything and filling my cup with gratitude for all that I have and am right now.

Living large is a state of mind and not a material effect we accessorize our lives with like gaudy dime-store jewelry.

It has nothing to do with the kind or amount of materials things in our possession.

It’s a choice of how we choose to live our lives today.

I heard something the other day that I found quite enlightening. It went a bit like this: Instead of apologizing, say thank you. i.e. If we’re late coming into a meeting with others and saying, “I’m sorry.” Instead we say, “Thank you for your patience.”

It’s a way of taking the focus off of ourselves and acknowledging the other people in the room. It’s just another way of asking, “How may we serve?” Rather than, “What’s in it for me.”

Subtle, but different for sure.

I was quite close to my Grandparents as well as my great Aunt and Uncle while they were alive. Unfortunately, I lost them numerous years ago. So many fond memories of playing horseshoes with my Uncle Paul, baking homemade rolls with my Grandmother, making vegetable soup from scratch with my Aunt Pauline, picking raspberries in my Grandfather’s patch and eating them on the spot or making wooden boats in his workshop to float down the small creeks winding along roads and under culverts as we ran beside them on the grassy banks.

When I was young, I had a hard time being alone with them at the beginning because I wanted to stay with my Mom. I cried for what seemed like hours after she left me with my Grandfather or Great Aunt. But, what I remember even better, was the space they all gave me to feel sad. To cry. To stew, brew and think. They would never force me to taste the homemade vegetable soup I adamantly and repeatedly said I wouldn’t like. My Aunt Pauline would just say, “You might just like it” and then she would slowly dip her wooden spoon into the large pot on the stove and take a test taste as I watched the smile come across her face. “It’s quite delicious.”

On one occasion my Grandfather came to our house while my Mom ran around town doing adult things. After being left with my Grandfather, I felt sad and knew there was no way I could survive until the afternoon. He wanted to build us a bike rack made of wood so we could store them with some semblance of organization. He told me what he was doing and he could use my help, but I wanted no part of it. He didn’t force me or shame me for feeling sad, he just kept going about his business until I was able to get out of my own way. My curiosity grew. I wanted to help him. I eventually got engaged in the work and we built the rack together. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and spending time with him.

When I looked over my shoulder, my Mom was home. “Home so soon?”

Maybe we can all give some space to others so that they’re not only able to feel what they’re going through in that moment, but rise to the occasion and find the best versions of themselves as well. I was given that opportunity and will be forever changed because of it.