Seeing different persecetive changes your view ( attitude too)

**imagine** · 03-23-2011, 09:22 AM

A week or so ago, Little miss and I stopped by Mc Donald's to grab a bite to eat. Little Miss had skipped breakfast and it was her normal lunch time, she was hungry and we had more errands to run before heading home.

We were getting things off the dollar menu and counting change out to do it. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself.

The next man in line who looked homeless came up and ordered a drink and burger from the dollar menu. As they were ringing it up he leaned over and whispered "remember you don't have to charge me". The lady nodded and the manager came over nodded to him and zeroed out the amount. They gave him the receipt and his food.

The next man in line when asked for his order asked for an application for employment. Then asked for a pen to filled it out as his pen has just run out.

Yes out of all three I had no reason to complain or feel sorry for myself. Our hungry tummy were not near the prospect of being hungry long term. We had change to count out and a husband who would come home from work with a paycheck.

Seeing different perspectives changed my attitude.

**imagine** · 03-23-2011, 10:34 AM

That should read We not he.

"He had change to count out and a husband who would come home from work with a paycheck."

Sorry i didn't catch it before the edit button went away

**Greebo** · 03-23-2011, 10:40 AM

I took the liberty of correcting your typo for you.

**Nishu** · 03-23-2011, 10:45 AM

I wonder what was up with the homeless guy? Surely McD's isn't giving out free food to every homeless person that comes in.

**fernykins** · 03-23-2011, 11:14 AM

I hope McDonalds is giving a helping hand to those in need. I have always looked on the bright side.of things and been thankful for what I had
Fern

**Dancing Lotus** · 03-23-2011, 12:22 PM

I was coming out of the grocery store feeling sorry for myself when a young girl in tears with a small child asked me for money.

At first I was annoyed as this happens often at this particular store.
But the sadness in her eyes and the smelly diaper on the child told me this was for real. She said she was out of gas and needed a diaper for her baby. She saw my mini van with all the stickers and thought I might have a diaper I would share with her. Unfortunately I only had four dollars myself and was hanging onto it for dear life until payday. I gave the money I had to her and suddenly felt grateful that I have everything I need and my children have never had to sit in a dirty diaper.

**McD** · 03-23-2011, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by Nishu

I wonder what was up with the homeless guy? Surely McD's isn't giving out free food to every homeless person that comes in.

The McD's around here all independently owned and operated and they used to give half off to all military members in uniforms. Maybe it is just that particular store/franchise's policy.

**imagine** · 03-23-2011, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Nishu

I wonder what was up with the homeless guy? Surely McD's isn't giving out free food to every homeless person that comes in.

Ours was. We don't have tons of completely homeless people.

They knew him by name and he knew what he could order to get it free. I'm sure he knows how often he can come into.

I often seem them offer free apple dippers to children when they see parents editing orders so they can afford it.

I have seen the Mc Donald's employees take bags of food out people holding signs at the highway exit asking for help, especially if they are a new person or family.

I once saw two ladies ordering (talking about what they wanted to eat) one said nothing I have no money and the other ordered food without her. The Mc Donald's people brought out a bag of food (burger fries and a drink cup) to her table and asked her if she wanted it. It was nice she didn't have to just watch her friend eat.

**Nishu** · 03-23-2011, 02:28 PM

We have way too many homeless people around here for an McD's to do that and expect to stay in business, so I was kind of wondering whether it was a store policy or if it was just that particular guy.

**frugalfoster** · 03-23-2011, 02:54 PM

Perspective..what a great gift we are given when we listen or are sometimes thrown into a situation in which we previously were ignorant on the circumstances. Once my 27 yr old dd asked me "when do I get to be in the same mindset as you"...and I replied "someday maybe but someday maybe not"...i look at things different than most people and its from listening to hundreds of peoples stories.. Therefore I have a different gauge than most...and yes ...i consider a gift ...

**HappyMama** · 03-23-2011, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfoster

Perspective..what a great gift we are given when we listen or are sometimes thrown into a situation in which we previously were ignorant on the circumstances. Once my 27 yr old dd asked me "when do I get to be in the same mindset as you"...and I replied "someday maybe but someday maybe not"...i look at things different than most people and its from listening to hundreds of peoples stories.. Therefore I have a different gauge than most...and yes ...i consider a gift ...

I agree being able to see things from someone else's perspective is such a gift for yourself and the other people in your life.

Everyone has a different perspective, opinion or way of looking at life either due to their circumstances, situations , abilities, way or place they were raised.

Sometimes a simple change in perspective can dramatically change your situation. And in this case, I’m talking about a specific visual technique that you can use to literally see things from other point-of-view. Imagine the insights you could find!

The first position, is the “me” position, you are looking through our own eyes and this is a pretty common way to look at the world. We see situations and people and we focus on what they mean to “me.” This can certainly be valuable when making sure you are making decisions that are right for you, but what if you’re having a disagreement with another person. Can you imagine the things you might learn to help you resolve the situation if you could imagine the world from their point-of-view?

Seeing things from other person’s perspective is second position, the “you” position. You may be or know people who have this as their default position. They tend to be very good at taking care of other people’s needs, but may struggle a bit in making sure that their own needs are met. This is because they are in the habit of seeing things from the perspective of others and what is best for other people, not themselves. It can certainly be useful to see things from another person’s point-of-view if you are having a disagreement, but doesn’t it seem that the casual observer to an argument usually has some insights about the situation as well?

This “observer” position is third position. From this perspective you see everyone in the situation, but you are not involved in the action. This can give you a more analytical perspective on the situation and it can be quite helpful if you are emotionally caught-up in a situation.

It’s important that we see things differently. Because when our different visions eventually mesh together…

Positive change transpires in all of our lives.

There is a wonderful tool artists use, draw a picture and turn it upside down. “Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain”, by Betty Edwards. In her book she has you take a picture of something you want to draw and then turn it upside down. This allowed me to stop seeing things as I expected them to be (a dog, an animal, cat a door, etc) and see the shapes, the contour, the negative space, etc. I saw so much MORE. We do this w in my art studio attached to my house with guests that pop over all the time, they think it is so cool.

So what do you see when you are upside down? What have you been missing in your environment because you are “expecting” things to be a certain way? Be open to another perspective and watch how life unfolds. You may just find you have more solutions than questions.

Blessings and happy opinions ,learning and perspectives everyone!

**zakity** · 03-23-2011, 05:17 PM

Sometimes, the homeless work for their meals at places. Every once in a while, I have seen homeless people picking up the parking lot. And once, I saw an employee (female) hand a homeless guy the trash out the back door and he walked the trash bag out to the dumpster. I only remember it because it was getting dark out. I thought it was pretty cool that the homeless guy would do that. It wasn't a fabulous part of town.

**Mamaw** · 03-23-2011, 07:45 PM

I just want to thank you for posting this timely reminder. There but for the grace of God....

**bumplett** · 03-23-2011, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by Nishu

We have way too many homeless people around here for an McD's to do that and expect to stay in business, so I was kind of wondering whether it was a store policy or if it was just that particular guy.

same here.

as nice as it is, I couldn't expect many places of business to attempt this on any regular basis.

not only do we have far too many homeless people here, as well as just out right poor, as soon as word got out - you'd have the scammers too.

actually, our McD's got robbed not too long ago - go figure?

dang, I need to move huh....

I'm so happy to hear that there are some that are in a position to help others.