Building Upon Old Foundations: How Perspective Changes Over Time

As I travel around the Midwest and places I’ve lived before, I’m reminded of a lot. Old memories. Old friendships. Old hurts. Old passions. Everywhere I turn it seems there’s something that reminds me of something. But as I visit old familiar places, I’m reminded how much perspective plays a part in my memories. Perspective indeed is a powerful thing.

When I lived in Michigan about 15+ years ago, it was colored by a failing marriage, the pain of being separated from close friends and family, the transition of being a new mom, and re-careering. I moved here to support my then-husband in his pursuit of a master’s degree. To say I was unhappy at that time is an understatement. But I made the best of it. I found a job where I could learn a skill I really wanted to learn and made friends who helped me stay connected to myself (and who I can easily re-connect to after all these years).

But now, as I visit, a woman more sure of herself, confident, older, wiser, more at-ease in her own skin, this place seems different. It seems softer, calmer, more accepting. I can appreciate things I didn’t before, like the fresh air, the small town feel, the beautiful architecture, etc.

Did this small town change since I was here? Or are the changes I see more about the changes within I’ve made over the years? I suspect everything changed, but that the changes I’ve made and the different perspective I have now are more the cause of my new-found ease with this place. Either way, it’s nice to enjoy my time here in old, familiar territory, with memories pleasant and unpleasant, in the presence of friends who knew me then and still appreciate me today.

We are always building a foundation upon which our perspective can lead us in different directions. What a gift to be able to see different sides of the same foundation.

Photo: creek @ crawford park © by daBinsi