The Game called Perspective

Since I’ve been here at Norwich, I’ve learned many things, I’ve learned how to speed lace my military combat boots, I’ve learned how to make my bed, and I’ve learned the game referred to as, perspective. Now, what do I mean by this? No, it is not a literal game, it is more like a way of making it through the days. For at Norwich as I’m sure you’ve heard many times over, you are going to experience adversity. But it is your perspective that decides what said adversity accomplishes in your life. For example, let's say I forgot that an assignment was due, and now I don’t have enough time to complete a quality submission. Well, the first thought that comes to mind is, “Well, I’m dead”. But there is also another perspective to look at this situation from, one could see this sudden deadline as an opportunity to practice one’s improvisation, to try to make yourself work in a more efficient manner under pressure. This allows for growth in one’s adaptability which is ever so vital in our ever-changing society. Now, another perspective of this situation is there is a lesson to be learned. One may see the deadline as a time for betterment and growth, one may see their failure to stay accountable for their homework as a reminder to not forget again. Sometimes the best teachers are our own failures, of course, successes are great motivators, but failures are the reason we get things done. Whether that is to be better than our past selves or to just not make the same mistake twice, over and over again failures have proved themselves useful in the teaching of life’s greatest lessons. Now, why am I talking about perspective and how does it relate to Norwich University? Simple, at Norwich there will be challenges, one way or another, and it is up to you, and you alone, what these challenges will do in your life. They may build you, or break you down, maybe a little of both, but I encourage you to have the “bounce back” attitude. This being the attitude of when life knocks you down, you get back up on your feet, and you try again. I’ve mastered this strategy, by failing over and over again, but I’m still standing, and now here at Norwich, you will too, you just have to keep trying, yet it is easier said than done. But take in mind this post’s simple and true final words for this week, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change” (Dr. Wayne Dyer), our problems are what we make of them, and of course have a blessed day!