How to Share Perspective

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“Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.” – Sydney Smith

I’ve told this story before but it still cracks me up. When my daughter was three-years- old, I asked her how many houses she could see when she looked out the ground floor window of our house, it was about three.

Then I took her up to the floor above and ask her how many she could see and it was about seven.

Finally we went out onto the little deck on our rooftop and I asked her how many she could see and it was more than she had numbers for. “Miss O” I said “this is the perspective that you get when you are older, you know that everything fits into a larger picture and you are able to see more of it.”

Miss O’s eyes got wide and she looked at me like I was a crazy lady. I admit, that lesson was a little before it’s time. But I love a good dose of perspective. It’s one of the reasons I enjoyed this latest How to Share podcast conversation with author and educator Andrea Simon about her wonderful book, Did You Live the Life You Wanted?

We talk about perspective, regret and the meaning of life. She tells us why she choose to write this story as a novel and how the course she taught about how to write about family plays into her writing.

There are so many fantastic female friendships and characters in this book that spans 50 years. Andrea talks about how she asked men and women if they lived the life they wanted and what she learned differs when women and men answer that question.

We talk about the meaning of life and how writing plays into that. Andrea’s incredible experience as an educator and facilitator shines through as we dig into the depth of life and how we share it.

This is a great episode full of perspective and wisdom with a thoughtful guest. I know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • The novel spans 50 years, highlighting female friendships.
  • Writing about family requires sensitivity and respect.
  • Men and women often have different perspectives on life choices.
  • Older women may feel they had fewer options in their careers.
  • Regret can lead to personal growth and new opportunities.
  • It’s important to pursue personal desires as we age.

Here’s Andrea’s fabulous elevator pitch for her novel Did You Have the Life You Wanted?:

Here are some ways you can watch or listen to all of this insightful and helpful episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

How to Share a Mission with Anthony Dyer – How To Share

In this episode, Wynne Leon interviews Anthony Dyer, a special missions aviator and author of 'Moon Child.' They discuss Anthony's journey from a childhood in Appalachia to a 20-year career in the US Air Force, his healing process from the traumas of war through writing, and the importance of family in his life. Anthony shares valuable life lessons learned from aviation, the significance of positivity, and his mission as a father. The conversation emphasizes courage, connection, and the power of storytelling in healing.TakeawaysAnthony chose writing over alcohol to heal from trauma.The importance of aviate, navigate, communicate in life.Healing can come from vulnerability and sharing stories.Family plays a crucial role in personal healing.God can help you rebuild after trauma.Scars are badges of honor, representing resilience.Conversations with God can lead to personal growth.Fatherhood is Anthony's most important mission now.Roots and wings symbolize balance in life.Links for this episode:How to Share homeHow to Share a Mission TranscriptMoon Child: Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator on Barnes and Noble and AmazonFrom the host:My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith
  1. How to Share a Mission with Anthony Dyer
  2. How to Share Your Superpower with Roger Kastner
  3. How to Share Perspective with Andrea Simon
  4. How to Share Compassionate Stories that Inspire and Connect
  5. How to Share Music with Nancy Shear

Links for this episode:

How to Share Perspective transcript

Andrea Simon’s website

Did You Have the Life You Wanted? on Barnes & Noble, and Amazon

From the host:

My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

(featured photo from Pexels)

51 thoughts on “How to Share Perspective”

  3. Interesting interview. Andrea seems to have found a path she likes with teaching and writing. She also makes many generalizations, some of which I have a different perspective. Men of our age generally had more choices but some of us are reflective. Between being reflective, and having many (too many?) choices, I have often gotten lost/ paralyzed in analysis. And I never really found satisfying work.

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    1. Oh, I love hearing your perspective, Brad. I can see why her generalizations don’t match – and I wouldn’t be surprised if that would be true especially for the WordPress audience because I think it’s a much more reflective and thoughtful group. Which is also a generalization… I really appreciate you tuning in — and your comments!

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      2. Such an enjoyable chat! I’m slow to get my listening done, but this was worth the wait! Loved Andrea’s observations about her students’ interests in “how to write about family without guilt”. Many knowing smiles and head nods over here! Thanks, Wynne! 💝😉💝

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  11. enjoyed that video with the elevator pitch and hearing about the way you took your three year old reminds me of something I heard a long time ago – it was about the approach we have with our kids that matters – and when you are “all in” and “have that presence and energy” to talk with her and take her to different levels. Even if it was not in her window of understanding for that time – there was intimacy, fun with mom, and some type of cognitive seeds being planted – and so that story made me smile.
    And reminded me of when my three year old wanted to fly to the plant shelf

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    1. I’m chuckling, Yvette. That sounds like a fantastic story with your three year old! I love your perspective about be all in with our kids. I agree – just planting seeds.

      Thanks for tuning in!

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  15. Ok, I’ll admit it. When you mentioned that Andrea’s website is full of her photos, I paused the interview and looked through her photos. Wow. Stunning. And she writes too! And wins writing awards; and teaches! And so many rich friendships! Andrea has to be leading the life she wanted. But there was that one piece missing; school. And so at 65, she went and got her MFA. She answered a question she always wondered about. There is so much here, Wynne. My perspective is that Andrea is fulfilled, but we should keep moving, evolving to put ourselves into the position to embrace it all. Thank you.

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    1. Oh, I love your take away that we need to put ourselves into the position to embrace it all. Yes!! You are so good at gleaning everything possible from life that I know you do this every day! Thank you for tuning in and this great comment!

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  16. What a warm engaging conversation, Wynne. Stirred up so many memories of my mom, who made a huge sacrifice in her late 40s moving to Canada, so that my sister and I could have a better life. Looking back at her stress, often vocalized, I could tell this question of do I have the life I imagined, often came up for her. It’s not until her later years that she got to live and enjoy a life that she imagined.

    Women do perceive these things so much more differently than men, don’t they? So much societal norms and expectations to navigate. It is heartening to hear that women also have communities, like this lovely writers group that led to the anthology.

    I do appreciate the tips on writing about family and how to avoid pissing someone off. 😂

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    1. So incredible that this brought back memories of your dear mom, Ab. I’m so glad that her later years opened up possibilities for her life as she imagined it. Your tribute to her is beautiful!

      I liked the writing tips too. So funny! Thank you for tuning in!

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  18. I think you may have made your daughter’s head explode that day! On another note, you probably planted a seed within her that is now starting to show! Good job!

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      1. I’m seeing the results of 2 generations of planting seeds. First in my daughter and now with the grandkids who are 14 and 18. I see the results, and your kids are starting to show the results too!

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  19. A great discussion. I agree, you are never too old to be what you were meant to be. I got my post secondary education after I was 50 and published my first book at age 60. I love the question, Do you have the life you wanted? It certainly makes you think. My answer would be no, but my life is better than I ever wanted or dreamed about! I wish Andrea all the best with her interesting book.

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    1. Ah, I love your perspective, Darlene. Wow, you have embraced it all and done so much. Your answer that it is better than you dreamed about it is wonderful — and fascinating! Thanks for the best wishes and great comment!

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