The Power of Naming Things to Reframe One's Perspective |
Dear Empowered Reader,
Happy Fall! We are now officially a little over a week into Fall. I have written about change and transition a lot over the past few newsletters as this has been a topic I have been experiencing as I moved to a new city and prepared to enter a new season in life. I have highlighted many different aspects of change including, learning new things, practicing gratitude for the lessons change teaching us, finding joy and how to embrace change.
However, one crucial topic I haven't yet explored is what happens when our perception of the world holds us back from making a change. This realization struck me when my sister, Joan Oen, shared a recent experience in our family group chat about how she shifted her perspective. Her insight immediately resonated with me, and I knew it needed to be featured in an upcoming edition of the Empower Possible Newsletter. After reaching out to Joan, she graciously agreed to let me share her story with you.
As we continue to navigate through change and transition, it's important to remember that our perception of the world can significantly impact our ability to embrace change. Often, the way we see the world can create barriers that prevent us from moving forward. By shifting our perspective and opening our minds to new possibilities, we can overcome the fear and resistance that often accompany change.
It's also crucial to practice self-compassion and patience with ourselves as we adapt to new circumstances. Change can be challenging, and it's easy to be hard on ourselves when things don't go as planned. However, by embracing change as an opportunity for growth and learning, we can transform these challenges into stepping stones toward a more fulfilling and empowered life.
As we settle into the fall season, let's challenge ourselves to see change as a positive force and a chance to create the life we truly desire. By consciously shifting our perspective, we can unlock new opportunities and experiences that lead to personal and professional growth. Embracing change with an open heart and mind can pave the way for a brighter, more fulfilling future. Joan did a wonderful job of highlighting what can you do if your perception of the world is what is holding you back from making a change. Here is what she shared: |
Crickets freak me out. As a kid, their chirps in my basement bedroom taunted me, making me fear an imminent attack from their agile black-shelled bodies. Fast forward to now; there’s a very vocal cricket in my garage. Every time I enter, it calls to me from its
invisible hiding place. At first, it brought back my childhood fears of unpredictable jumping bugs. Then I decided to name it Jiminy–thank you, Disney. Now I compliment Jiminy on his pretty chirping and thank him for greeting me. Through the magic of Disney and a shift in my perspective, the unseen cricket no longer bothers me. In fact, I kind of like Jiminy. He seems like a good listener and his ability to carry a consistent tune is impressive. |
As I reflected on Joan's words I thought "The Power of Naming Things to Reframe One's Perspective" can lead to a reflection on my thoughts. Some helpful questions I will be reflection on listed below. I hope you take a moment to reflect on them as well.
1. What labels or names have you given to your current challenges or feelings? How might renaming them with a more empowering term shift your perspective and approach?
2. Think of a recent situation where you felt stuck or overwhelmed. If you could give that experience a new name that reflects a positive lesson or opportunity, what would it be?
3. How do the words and labels you use to describe your daily experiences influence your mindset? What new names could you adopt to create a more harmonious and hopeful outlook? |
Thank you to Joan for sharing your story and inspiring this newsletter. For our readers, here is a little more about Joan. Joan Oen is a free-lance writer with a teacher’s heart who is fully embracing a season of change and lives by the motto “Keep Moving Forward”. She writes poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction, and essays. Joan has four stories published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series: “That’s What Moms Are For” in The Magic of Mothers and Daughters, 2012; “What Would I Do Without You?” in Devotional Stories for Wives, 2013; “Comrade in Arms” in The Dog Did What?, 2014; “Absolutely Worth It” in The Magic of Dogs, 2020. Joan has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication/Literature Education grades 5-12 and a Master of Arts in Human Development from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. You can reach her at oenjoan@gmail.com. |
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