A matter of perspective

by Andrew Smith

   Sometimes to get the best perspective, you have to move back and take in a wider view. On the west side of Calgi, across the river and past the dilapidated benches of an abandoned hotel stands a tree.  The tree, alone in a field of grass, is atop a mountain, standing watch over the valley and gates of Cagli.

     It is 6:30 am, and we are headed up.  Scrubby waist-high trees, crumbling rockslides and slippery grass threaten to send us tumbling down to serious injury.   But we want to get a look at the city from a new vantage point, to see everything in a different light.  It’s a tough path, but worth it to be able to see all sides of the town.

     The same is true as we look at our stay here in Cagli.  We have a tendency to get myopic, to see our world through glasses that can only take in what is directly in front of us.  We see a closed store in the middle of the day, and are upset because we can’t do our shopping.  We show up for a planned meeting, only to wait two hours before actually getting satisfaction.  However, focusing on these individual events misses the big point.  

When we look at the whole picture, we see that Italians value their family and rest time in the middle of the day.  Meeting times aren’t as rigid because as a culture Italians don’t stress about the watch on their wrists.  It isn’t a personal affront every time something is different.  It is just a chance for us to get a little perspective, and learn more about ourselves and where we are. 

      Standing up at the lonely tree, I can see not just to Cagli, but beyond, past the valley to the next set of mountains.  Would that I had more time, to scale those as well and see what is next over the horizon, as I broaden my perspective and enrich my life.