Become the Bird
Looking at Yourself from a Bird's-Eye View
When life gets overwhelming, it’s easy to get lost in our own thoughts and emotions. Sometimes, we need to step outside of ourselves and gain a fresh perspective, a new vantage point that allows us to see things from a different angle.
By taking a step back and seeing ourselves from a new vantage point, we can gain clarity and insight into our thoughts and actions.
I like to call this the "bird's-eye view" of yourself. It's a powerful technique that can help both children and adults navigate moments of stress and anxiety.
How to "Be the Bird"
One way to practice this technique with your child is to take them outside and have them look up and find a bird in the sky. Next, have them imagine themselves as the bird, soaring through the sky and looking down on everything below.
From this aerial perspective, they can see everything below, including themself. Encourage them to "be the bird" and watch themselves from this new perspective.
They can even pretend that the bird is saying something to them, asking them questions, or giving them encouraging advice.
Here are some questions you can ask your child while they practice being the bird:
What does the bird see?
What does he see that we can't see down here?
How do you think the bird feels about [problem/issue they are facing]?
What do you think the bird wants to say to you?
By asking these questions, your child will start to see their situation and their thoughts about it in a new light. They will gain insights that are often hidden when they’re entrenched in their own thoughts.
This shift in perspective will help them detach from their stress and worries, offering a sense of freedom from their usual way of thinking.
The Power of a Fresh Perspective:
Seeing themself from a bird's-eye view isn't just a creative exercise; it's a valuable life skill. After all, that is what we are trying to do here - equip our kids with tools that will help them throughout their lives.
By adopting this perspective, they learn empathy and develop a deeper sense of connection with the world around them. They begin to see the bigger picture, realizing that many of their problems are smaller and less significant than they appear from a ground-level perspective. They get to see everything they would miss if they stayed in their body with their insular view of the world.
Benefits of the Bird's-Eye View:
🌳 Encourages empathy
Putting yourself in someone else's shoes becomes easier when you're accustomed to viewing situations from various angles. If your child is upset about a specific situation or something that has happened to them, helping them see it from a new perspective can help them understand other people's viewpoints. This is a skill that will help them later in life, no doubt.
🌳 Enhances problem-solving
A fresh perspective opens your mind to new ideas and approaches, making it easier to find solutions to your challenges. Maybe your child can’t understand why someone said something or how to fix a situation that they find themselves in. A new perspective might be just what they need to solve the problem on their own.
🌳 Fosters curiosity
Embracing different viewpoints fosters a sense of wonder about the world, encouraging a lifelong love for learning. It also may promote adventure and the capacity to take risks, as your child will see possibilities that they did not see before.
🌳 Promotes self-awareness
By seeing how their actions impact others and the world, they will become more mindful of their choices and behaviors. It may also help them shed preconceived notions and biases about different areas of their life.
Using the Bird's-Eye View in Everyday Life:
The next time you notice your child getting upset or overwhelmed, remind them to "be the bird." This simple phrase can serve as a powerful reminder to step back, gain perspective, and approach the situation with a fresh outlook.
In the grand scheme of things, we are all just tiny specks in the vast expanse of the universe. Embracing the bird's-eye view reminds us of our interconnectedness and the beauty of seeing the world through different eyes.
Challenge: The next time life feels overwhelming for your child, encourage them to “Be the Bird” - have them take a moment, spread their wings, and soar above their worries. They might be surprised by what they discover from up there.