At different times in our lives, we all need a new perspective.

As human beings, we go through different life phases, and each phase presents unique challenges and opportunities. Sometimes, we may find ourselves stuck in a particular way of thinking or behaving, limiting our ability to grow and evolve.

In such cases, seeking out a new perspective can be incredibly helpful. This could involve talking to someone with a different background or experience, reading a book on a topic we know little about, or simply trying something new and unfamiliar.

By stepping outside our comfort zone and exposing ourselves to new ideas and experiences, we can gain a fresh perspective on our lives and the world around us. This, in turn, can help us to overcome obstacles, develop new skills, and ultimately, lead more fulfilling lives.

Here is an example of how new perceptions can change a life.

In the late 1960s, there was a young man who had a dream of becoming a famous musician. He knew exactly what he wanted, so he left high school and began to play his music wherever people would listen. But as a high school dropout with little experience, he found it difficult to get work as a musician. Before too long he found himself playing in small, dirty clubs and bars. Sharing his gift with a handful of drunks night after night became a discouraging habit. This was not his dream. He had dreamed of playing in sellout shows across America and worldwide. He had dreamed of seeing his name in lights, of walking down the street and being stopped for autographs, of having his albums in every music store. He even dreamed one day he would play in a packed baseball stadium—an absurd thought in the late 1960s. He had stumbled upon difficult times. Financially he was broke, professionally he was failing, and his only joy in life was the support of his girlfriend. They had so little money that they would sleep in Laundromats to save the expense of a hotel. But one day she got sick of being constantly on the road. This gypsy lifestyle was not her dream, either. She had dreamed of being married to a famous musician but was unaware of the hard work it takes to get to the top. It was not the life she had imagined,

so she left him. With his only joy in life gone, he decided to commit suicide. That night the young musician made a halfhearted attempt to end his life by drinking a bottle of furniture polish and a bottle of vodka. The next day, very sick, he checked himself into a mental institution. Less than three weeks later, he checked himself out. He was a new man. He was refreshed, enthusiastic, and excited about life. He was cured. They had not given him any medication, nor was it anything the doctors or nurses had said to him. The other patients had cured him. They reminded him of how fortunate and gifted he was, and they had shown him how much more life could be. He was given a new perspective on life. That day, that same young man left the mental institution absolutely resolved to pursue his dream of becoming a famed musician. He was determined to travel, work, and do whatever was necessary to achieve his dream.

Three years later, he wrote a song called “Piano Man,” and today almost every person on the planet has heard of Billy Joel. And yes, on June 22 and 23 in 1990, Billy Joel played to sellout crowds of ninety thousand people at Yankee Stadium.

We all need a startling new perspective at least once in our lives. Billy Joel’s experience in the mental institution gave him that new perspective. It is my hope that this blog will give you that new perspective, too.

Here’s an example of how seeking a new perspective can help in a real-life specific situation:

Let’s say someone has been struggling to find a job in their field for a long time, and they’re feeling frustrated and discouraged. They’ve been applying to dozens of positions each week, but they keep getting rejected, and they’re unsure what they’re doing wrong.

In this case, seeking a new perspective could mean reaching out to someone in their network who works in the same field and asking for advice. This person might be able to offer insights into what employers are looking for or suggest ways to improve their resume or cover letter.

Alternatively, seeking a new perspective could mean exploring a different career path altogether. Maybe the person has been so focused on finding a job in their field that they haven’t considered other options. By talking to people in different industries or researching other careers online, they might discover a new path that excites them and offers more job prospects.

In both cases, seeking a new perspective can help the person break out of their rut and find a new direction. It may not be easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding in the long run.

What the Bhagavad Gita said about changing perception

By changing our perception, we can lift our self-understanding above the things and events around us.

So change your perception, and change your life.