PERSPECTIVE by Jane Kelley

Has this happened to you? After you share your misery with a friend, they say something like -- reframe the narrative. It's all in your head. You can't change your situation. but you can change your attitude. 

Yes. I have been that friend. I've also been that author. I do believe that advice has some merit. But perspective isn't just your mental view. Sometimes perspective is your actual view.

My sister, my husband, and I went for a hike. We found this hollow log that was the perfect size to crawl through. So my sister did.  

Inside the log, it's dark and full of spiders. It's small. You can't walk proudly upright. You have to crawl. And while you're on your hands and knees, other people are enjoying a beautiful sunny day.

 

Judging by her expression, my sister seems to be rethinking this choice. 

 

 

Eventually she escapes from the tunnel and returns to the light.

 

The point is pretty obvious. It's better to be in the sunshine than in a dirty log.

 

There is another point -- to me.

 

Sometimes we actually are someplace unpleasant. The dirty log is a real place. My sister chose to pass through it. Usually the difficult places are not optional. 

As a writer -- and as a human, I have to acknowledge the difference.

JANE KELLEY confesses to deliberately putting her characters in tight spots. She hopes they have forgiven her.