Re-Write Space to Teach Perspective

Once upon a time there was a young woman who lived in suburbia with her dog and large collection of shoes. This particular day, she reflected on the many lives she had lived in her youth, constantly moving house, endeavouring different communities, changing jobs, varying friendships, and starting over as many times as her circumstances required. The years had provided endless detours, unforeseen heartache, and created constant confusion, resulting in an excess accumulation of trauma. At this point in time, despite her best efforts, she was unable to move forward and better her circumstances; for she was out of balance with her life-force. As she sat by her window feeling disheartened, wallowing in hopelessness from a myriad of emotional pain, she wished for a change of perspective. Suddenly a memory of injustice intruded her mind, filling her spirit with anxiety, anger and fear. Snapping her eyes shut she visualised the issue once lodged within a crevasse of her head falling like a stone, travelling through the tension she carried in her body until finally disappearing into a glow of light within her heart. She replayed the story in this trustworthy space, re-writing the memory as a saga of courage, self-worth, inner strength and determination. By surrendering to her imagination and granting acceptance, her patience transformed pain to optimism, anger to compassion, and sadness to appreciation. Creating a heroic ending, the young woman regained her life focus and lived happily ever after.

Stories contain layers that proportionally reflect our vulnerability during difficult times. A tall tale is not as simple as Jack climbing the beanstalk because he was bored, or Cinderella deciding to go to the ball because she had bothered to wash, blow-dry and straighten her hair on a rare occasion. Storytelling weaves the context of a character, illuminating their flaws, desires, passions or confusions, by detailing their choices and actions against ethically acceptable behaviour. The morals of a story contain a lesson hidden within the message of the narrative, subtle enough to teach perspective without over-scripted effort. After walking in another’s shoes for a number of pages, the result of these fables leaves us with an imprint of an intrinsic feeling, creating a glimpse of proficiency to apply to our own lives.

Teaching perspective requires practice and can only be gained through involvement. Half a story with little development of the hero / heroine, prevents a journey from taking place. As witnesses to an individual’s character, we must understand their former stand-point to appreciate their current outlook. Without transition, stagnation would occur, and our acquaintance with little red riding hood would be associated with a lazy child who ate all of grandma’s treats, rather than one who developed the courage to brave the dangers of a scary forest.

A change of perspective contains the power to cause a ripple effect, prompting bystanders to consult their longstanding beliefs. In the story of the ugly duckling, barnyard animals gleefully abused the duck’s difference of appearance, because his egg had landed in the wrong nest. When the duck returned with his birth family at the end of the story revealing his true beauty, the animals were held responsible for their choice to bully his variance through aggression and isolation. The effect of one characters’ transformation illustrated the influence of others’ misguided collective efforts, creating insight through mass awakening.

Space to re-write a new ending is difficult in the moment with many variables at play. If the Prince does find Sleeping Beauty, will he know how to wake her without instructions? If the long winter causes Rapunzel’s hair to grow a little slower, might it impede her escape at an opportune moment? If uncertainty during a vulnerable moment is fuelled by a history of limited beliefs, perspective can only extend as far as one allows it. Instead of deteriorating a desired outcome due to inadequate life experience, it is possible to regain focus through an adjustment of one’s proficiency. By reminding the hero / heroine of their underlying spirit containing exceptional core values, meaning and purpose, their intention for transformation enlarges their courage. With conviction, trust and faith in one’s abilities for powerful change, the concept of happily ever after can be restored in everyone's curious and fantastic adventures throughout life.