December 24, 2019 marked the 51st anniversary of Earthrise, the world-famous photo of earth taken by astronaut Bill Anders during the Apollo 8 mission to the moon.

What an awe-inspiring image! Through a psychological lens, it gives me pause to reflect on the power of perspective. From the position of the moon, we can see our earth in a way that we cannot from here on planet earth.

When we in the midst of our life experiences, especially the more challenging ones, it’s only natural to get used to viewing them in a certain way. We can easily feel stuck. What happens when we shift our vantage point, and look at our situation from a “wide-angle lens”, or from a further distance?

The contrast of color between earth against the backdrop of space is also striking. When we are feeling overwhelmed by life challenges, we may view life in “black and white” (or “all or none”) terms. What may happen if we switch to color film, and look for nuances? What kinds of possibilities might open up for us?

I offer the following exercise for practice: The next time you encounter a challenge, whether it’s a personal, relationship, or work issue, try to flex your “perspective muscles.” Explore what happens when you switch to a “wide-angle lens” or “color palette.” Tip: It’s easier to start practicing with a mundane, low-stakes hassle, versus trying to tackle an intense challenge. For example, you might start with a situation such as getting stuck in traffic, missing the bus/train, waiting in line, etc.