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Since I was a kid, I’ve had a love affair with photography. As I got older, I naturally wanted to improve my skills, so I did what many amateur photographers do—I saved up and invested in the best camera I could afford. I was convinced that better equipment would automatically translate to better photos.
To my disappointment, the “better camera” didn’t produce much better results. That’s when I had an epiphany: if I want different results, I better get some training.
The Mailbox That Changed Everything
One of the first photography classes I took gave me an assignment that seemed ridiculous at first: find a mailbox and take 50 different photos of it. It was just a simple, ordinary mailbox. I remember thinking, “How am I possibly going to take 50 unique photos of something so mundane?”
On the day of the review, there were 20 people in the class, meaning we had 1,000 photos to go through. That’s when a light bulb lit up in my mind—no two photos were alike. Everyone had a slightly different perspective on what was seemingly one of the most ordinary objects in our daily lives.
Some captured the mailbox from below, making it look imposing. Others focused on the shadows it cast, the reflection in its metal surface, or how it related to its surroundings. Some photos told stories of letters waiting to be sent, while others highlighted the weathered texture of years of service.
The Power of Perspective
That’s when I realized that this principle applies to most things we struggle with in life. When we face a problem, we have a choice about how we see it and through what lens we view it. Is it really a problem, or is it an opportunity in disguise?
Face it—no one else sees the world the same way you do, so why lock yourself into one perspective?
Driving: A Perfect Example
This same principle applies perfectly to driving. The difference between being a great driver and not-so-great often comes down to perspective.
Let’s face it—we all know the rules. We know we shouldn’t speed, we know we should follow posted sign, we know we should keep a safe distance….. So why do so many people disregard these rules?
It’s all about perspective.
Red Light: Obstacle or Opportunity?
The next time you encounter a red light while running late, the call is yours. You can see it as a major obstacle preventing you from being on time, tempting you to rush through as it turns yellow or even red.
Or, you can view it as an opportunity. A red light means a chance to slow down, collect your thoughts, take a deep breath, and perhaps think about the meeting you’re running late to. While you could see the 30 seconds you spend at the light as a frustrating delay, you could also utilize that time to mentally prepare what you’ll say when you arrive.
The Choice Is Yours
Just like with photography, driving presents us with countless moments to choose our perspective. Do you see that slow driver in front of you as an annoying hindrance or a reminder to slow down and enjoy the journey? Is that construction zone a frustrating delay, or a moment to practice patience?
The beauty of perspective is that it’s entirely within your control. You can’t control traffic, weather conditions, or other drivers—but you can absolutely control how you perceive and respond to them.
So, the next time you get behind the wheel, remember the mailbox lesson: change your perspective, change your outcome. Your journey—both on the road and in life—will be much more rewarding for it.
