Get 'Over' Yourself - Expanding Your Awareness and Compassion in Relationships

We are so used to always seeing things from our own viewpoint. We know that what we experience is determined by our beliefs and filters and that these beliefs and filters were set in place at a young age before the life you are living now even existed. Yet we are so attached to our limited views that we will defend them aggressively in any argument. If you find yourself in a quarrel with someone, try this simple technique to expand your perspective and enable you to see a problem with more awareness and compassion.

1) First, see things from the 1st perspective.

See the situation through your own eyes, becomming aware of your own thoughts and feelings and considering your own needs.

2) Next, switch to the 2nd perspective.

Put yourself in the other person's shoes and imagine what it's like to be that person, looking back at yourself, seeing, hearing, and feeling as the other person. C0nsider the needs of the other person.

3) Then, see things from the 3rd Perspective.

Take a detached viewpoint. Imagine you are looking at yourself and the other person 'over there' - seeing the two of them speaking, gesturing, watching their expressions, etc. Pay particular attention to non-verbal behaviour such as the body language and the sound of their voices.

4) Lastly, as a result of taking these separate viewponts, ask yourself what advice you wish to give 'yourself' about how you are handling the situation.

Expanding your awareness in this way will give you more compassion, allow you to think 'out of the box' opening to new insights, and raise you to a new level of being. Awareness is an amazing tool for growth.