Sometimes it is hard to put things into perspective. What do I mean by that? The definition of perspective is a particular attitude about something or way of regarding something. It’s quite literally a point of view.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how people view each other.
Think about it, if you have a differing opinion than someone else, then society today thinks you’re automatically a bad person.
It’s becoming to where we as people cannot have a civilized conversation with one another.
Think about a woman who is pregnant.
Okay now, what about that woman who can’t get pregnant?
Or maybe she is pregnant and worries about it.
What if she has to give up the baby for adoption?
What about the woman who wants to add to her family and has more than one miscarriage?
Every single one of these people have a different perspective or point of view.
It’s not just about the us versus them mentality – its how can you change your way of thinking to be more sympathetic or understanding towards people.
With Lent comes the perfect opportunity, not only take up something for Lent for yourself but for other people as well.
There are three main facets of Lent within the Catholic faith. And even if you’re not Catholic, you can also do this.
Prayer. Fasting. Almsgiving.
Prayer – Start by praying for someone other than yourself.
Pray for the person that is hurting or just needs good thoughts. By praying and looking outside of yourself, you can bring good into other people’s lives.
Fasting – this one is a hard one.
But think about it from a way that you don’t normally.
Instead of fasting from junk food, how about you deliver food to someone in need.
Instead of trying to bear one of your burdens, try helping someone else bear one of theirs.
Make a meal for a new mom.
Maybe help a friend have a date night with her husband
Visit with an elderly person, via phone, mail or even remotely with zoom.
Do something that is outside of your comfort zone to make someone else’s day.
Almsgiving – Almsgiving is usually donating money or taking up a rice bowl collection for your parish.
And while I think that wonderful, I also think that there’s a lot of ways to help people within our own local community.
Try to think of ideas on how to help someone – maybe you know someone who has lost a job or help a new mom in crisis.
Give care packages with socks or granola bars to the homeless.
Put yourself in other people’s shoes and just be kind.
As we go through Lent into Easter, we have to remember, this is a time when Jesus went through the most pain and suffering to save us. We should be making sacrifices not only to better ourselves, but to put ourselves within the perspective of Jesus. Are we living the way he would want us to live?
What can you do to put yourself in perspective?
