I’m almost 38 weeks pregnant right now.
It’s suuuuuuper easy to complain about just about anything at this point.
My hips are in pain. My feet are swollen. I can’t eat anything good cuz it gives me acid reflex. I’m tired.
Okay I’ll stop. 😉
When I’m focused on myself, I can pretty quickly convince my brain that I probably have it worse than anyone else in the world right now.
But then I broaden my perspective.
I hang out with my little 2-year-old all day. She’s seriously hilarious and a genius and a little ball of crazy energy. My husband comes home from work and we laugh and relax. I guess life isn’t so bad.
Then I broaden my perspective.
I start planning my Sunday School lesson for Sunday. I think about kind friends and family who are throwing me baby showers this week. I make plans to hang out with a friend. Life is good.
Then I broaden my perspective even more to include time.
I reflect on where my life was a decade ago, five years ago, a year ago. Life keeps getting more complicated, but SO much better.
And then I broaden my perspective to the largest view I can go.
What a blessing it will be when our little baby boy arrives so soon! I wonder who he really is and what type of person he will become. I feel excited that he is being sent specifically to our family, and all that we will be able to learn from each other. Life is an absolute blessing.
One huge purpose of the Book of Mormon is to remind us of the Plan of Salvation.
When we broaden our perspective that wide and include that length of time, it is SO EASY for our problems, both trivial and serious, to melt away.
We see death for what it really is. We see our major trials for what they truly are. We see the most important things more clearly in focus.
What a beautiful and powerful gift!
It’s ALWAYS easy to fall into, “Wo is me!” No matter our stage of life!
But when we make daily, concentrated efforts to broaden our perspective just a bit, we feel that isolated burden being lifted.
That bigger perspective allows the spirit to guide us to the truth.
We are not alone. This is not the end. We’ve come this far. We can always readjust our priorities and keep moving forward.
Broaden that perspective.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
4 Responses
Cali that is such an awesome insight. I have had a pretty difficult three years but how much I have learned. Today I decided to change perspective. My spirit was lifted and 2 people I haven’t communicated with for a while called me and one messaged me. With no thought to do so, I was able to communicate to the caller about a business I had taken a break from, when she shared her story. She wants more info. How cool is that!! I have had 6 boys including twins. Totally know what you are going through. Happy birthing????
That’s awesome! That change in perspective can be so powerful. Thanks for sharing! <3
Great post! Just what I needed today! Pregnant with twins, came down with influenza despite having had the flu shot, which also kindly brought along with it ear infections, sinus infection, dehydration and extremely high fevers. I was laying here today thinking for sure this is what death fellas like… And then I read your article. Thank you for the perspective! You have a very eloquent style of writing that makes for an easy but inspiring read! Love reading your articles and insta posts!
Oh my goodness! I just got over a brutal ear infection so I can empathize a bit, but I’m sorry for what you are going through!! But yes, changing that perspective makes the craziness that we have to endure just a little more bearable! Good luck with your twins!! 🙂