Sometimes All You Need Is A New Perspective

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer
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One of my all-time favorite hiking spots near my home is the Parkville Nature Sanctuary. I've been exploring its trails since 2005, back when my boys and I were avid geocachers. Just a quick 10-minute drive away, this sanctuary boasts stunning wildlife, butterflies, serene creeks, and picturesque waterfalls. It holds a special place in my heart, so much so that I've organized numerous yoga hikes here, sharing this hidden gem with many others.
It is a regular go-to hike for me when I need a quick escape to nature. Today, as I set out on my Sunday hike, I decided to change my course. Typically, I start by heading straight into the Whitetail Trail on the south end of the sanctuary. However, today I chose to tackle the lower section first, navigating through the more popular Old Kate Trail. Instead of my usual counterclockwise direction, I went clockwise.
As I wandered through the flatter section of the trail, I paused at the waterfall, taking in the surroundings which suddenly seemed unfamiliar. Walking along the path beneath the dam, lost in my thoughts, I found myself momentarily uncertain of my location. "Did I make a wrong turn?" This did seem logical, as there was only one clear path forward, yet something felt off. In a few moments, I reoriented myself, pinpointing my position on the trail.
As I made my way to the more challenging Whitetail Trail, I decided to hike it “backwards.” I had only done this once before, but today I was intentionally seeking a new perspective. I wanted to stimulate my brain. I found myself guessing, sometimes out loud, when a certain landmark would appear. I started to breathe in deeply, drawing the image in front of me into my mind. As I exhaled, my perspective expanded. Everything felt new.
I took in the earthy smells, mingled with the natural oils of my bug spray. The birds were singing, and the cicadas were buzzing, louder than usual. It was as if nature was lulling me with its white noise—soft, loud, and soft again. In this moment, I felt wholeheartedly awake and fully present.
This perspective shift stayed with me throughout the day and continues to impact me even days later. It feels as though I’ve had an internal reset to my mind’s eye. I’ve zoomed out and back in again, allowing me to see and feel more clearly. Nature knows more than I about what I need in any given moment and this day is no different. My mind needed to shift. To be stimulated and shaken up. We get so set in our ways and engrained in our day to day, that our day to day becomes our year to year. And before we know it, time has come and gone never to be captured again.
Changing your perspective can open new possibilities and enrich your understanding of the world around you. Embrace the unfamiliar and challenge your current viewpoints. By adopting a new perspective, you can turn obstacles into opportunities, and transform your journey into an adventure of growth and discovery. Give yourself the chance to see things differently; you might be surprised at the positive impact it can have on your life.

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