CHANGING MY VIEW FROM THE BALCONY

[Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist]

I decided to treat myself to a much needed night of rest and relaxation at home tonight (and yes, it was not supposed to include writing or any other form of work). Of course, it did have to include good food, so I prepared a gourmet meal and proceeded to dine in my favorite venue, outdoors.

When I moved to a condo several months ago, it was a stretch. I had always resisted condo living with the same excuse, “I love outdoor living; I have to have it.” So it was with trepidation that I finally made the decision to make the move for the other pluses it would afford. But I was pleasantly surprised at how easily and happily I adjusted to outdoor living from a balcony and left behind the beautiful courtyard where I used to thrive. I easily learned to appreciate my new city views which included birds singing and lots of trees and greenery within my eyesight. But alas, it only lasted a couple of weeks until the workmen came. For three months now, my balcony view has been one of plastic and tape.

Tonight as I dined on the balcony, frankly I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, but mostly, I was getting peeved. I thought to myself “I want my money back. I can’t even utilize my favorite room….When is this ever going to end?...No wonder I seemed to have lost the zest I usually manage to maintain for life in spite of it all…I can only breathe dust…see plastic and tape…What do the gorgeous views I have from inside matter if I can’t enjoy the outdoors? I need fresh air!”

And then suddenly, I notice my only view of the outside world…the clouds. I begin to name the images they form. (No, I won’t tell you what they were; it is my own personal Rorschach Test in the sky). But the images changed from moment to moment, and pretty soon, I was laughing out loud. This game of mine continued until the clouds faded to darkness, and a single star appeared. As I wished upon the star, the old clichés that I often tell my clients came to mind: “You can look at the glass half full or half empty…You can make lemonade from lemons.” But, tonight it seems “you can change your view from the balcony." And just maybe...my wish will come true.

[Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist]

Thanks to Melissa Rhodes for allowing the use of one of her brilliant photographs, capturing the heart in the clouds.

[Backyard Getaway (Lisa)]

Power of positive thinking!

[Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist]

Would you believe the plastic was removed from my balcony yesterday, the day after I wrote this blog? Yea! I wish I could say it was the power of the written word.

[Backyard Getaway (Lisa)]

Amy, It's amazing what we can see if we look at things from a different perspective & just think how much you will appreciate the view once all the construction is cleared away!

[admin]

Amy,

The cloud picture is not the shape I was expecting; however, I did find this blog to be very inspirational.

Hope your wishes come true,
Kim
WQ|mag