“The question is not what you look at, but what you see.”
Henry David Thoreau
Everything is About “Perspective”
Does the way you see the world support you. Are you happy? Do you have great relationships? Do you enjoy your life? Do you consider yourself successful? Has it occured to you that how you see the world could be a big part of the problem and that if you change you point of view that it could positively affect your life?
Your Perspective Runs Your Life
How you see the world affects virtually everything you do. If you see a world full of possibilities, then you will work to make them happen. If you see the world as limiting, with few options, then you will live your life within these confines. If you want to create a better life for yourself, you may have to change your perspective or Point of View to one that supports the life you want to have.
Imagine that you are driving into a new city. You will see things one way. If you are driving out of town, you will see things very differently! There is no right or wrong, simply a different perspective.
Where did you get your Perspective?
Your perspective comes from your life experiences and beliefs, unique to you. How you see the world is based totally on your viewpoint and yours alone. There may be commonalities with other people, especially in the same society. There always are. Yet, you will still have your unique point of view.
The way you see things or experience the world is tempered by your life experiences, especially what happened to you when you were young. As a result, you will judge everything you see and do through the lenses of who you are or who you have become.
As a side note, there is a growing science that we can also inherit experiences from our forefathers. OMG
Check out our post “Signs its time to Change Your Mindset (now)” HERE
How your Childhood Experiences Affect Your Perspective
Some people come out of their childhood only seeing the best in the world. For others, a search for problems or issues or what’s wrong or not working.
As a result, you may not understand that a lot of this is simply a choice. If how you see the world isn’t working, change how you see the world. Trust me; this is an awful lot easier than hoping the world’s going to change to fit your model.
To change your perspective takes new habits. It requires a change in focus. It requires setting new goals and looking for anything that stops you from achieving them. Your perspective is everything, and it controls everything you do and how you see the world.
Here The Power of “CHOICE”
Every day you are always filled with many choices. Most people don’t realize that they even choose how they perceive their world. In reality, even if you’re the worst pessimist in the world, you don’t have to remain that way!
Unconsciously you may have opted to have a pessimist’s view and live a self-defeated life, or you may decide to take the optimist’s route and take on a way less challenging and more fulfilling life. And you can change your mind and choose something different-to live life differently, from a different perspective.
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The Continuum of Pessimism versus Optimism
I’m sure you have several friends, acquaintances, and/or relatives. Across the collection of our contacts, they will represent a wide range of perspectives across the pessimism/optimism spectrum. I’m sure you have both optimistic and pessimistic friends.
My questions:
- Which one(s) are more fun to spend time socializing?
- Which ones can you be yourself around? Not
- Which ones do you have to tiptoe around?
- Which ones are more successful?
- Which ones are living life to the max and joy in life\
- Which ones can overcome hardships faster?
- What ones let things go easier?
Where are you on this scale?
Where do you see yourself on this scale of pessimism or Optimism currently?
Do you understand it’s a choice or at least it can be!. If you’re a pessimist, you don’t have to stay that way. Yes, I realize changing your perspective will take some work but won’t it be worth it? It’s just a responsible condition perspective, and you can change your perspective.
Why not take the optimist’s point of view?
There are so many benefits for taking the optimistic point of view:
For example, Optimism can be attributed to the following benefits:
- better health,
- more happiness,
- less depression
- more positive moods
- better morale
- better performance in school, on the job
- more friends
- better relationships
- less depression
Continuing Optimist versus Pessimists
Here’s how optimists are in action and researches that back up why it pays to be an optimist:
Optimists expect the best versus pessimists who tend to believe bad events, which will last a long time and undermine everything they do, is their fault.
Additionally, optimists tend to focus on and plan for the ‘problem’ at hand. They use ‘positive reinterpretation.’ In other words, they most likely reinterpret a negative experience in a way that helps them learn and grow. Such people are unfazed by difficult situations. Instead, they perceive setbacks as challenges and buckle down and try harder. They are unfazed by difficult situations.
They won’t say, “things will never get better,” “If I failed once, it would happen again,” and “If I experience misfortune in one part of my life, then it will happen in my whole life.”
Positive expectancies of optimists also predict better reactions during transitions to new environments, sudden tragedies, and unlikely turn of events.
If they fall, they will stand up. Optimists will see opportunities instead of obstacles. The truth is that optimists are confronted with this world’s same hard knocks, just like everyone else. What differs is how they rationalize or think about their misfortune. They tend to believe defeat is merely a temporary setback that can be overcome or conquered.
People respond positively to optimists.
Optimists are proactive and less dependent on others for their happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people. They usually draw people towards them. Their optimistic view of the world can be contagious and influence others positively.
Optimism is a socially desirable trait in all communities. Those who share Optimism are generally accepted, while those who spread gloom, panic, and hysteria are avoided or are treated unfavorably. Optimists often win elections, get voted most congenial, and others seek their advice in life.
When the going gets tough, optimists get more empowered than pessimists, w, ho often look for somebody else to blame for the problems.
Optimists typically maintain higher levels of subjective well-being during times of stress than do less optimistic people. In contrast, pessimists are likely to react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with problems. Pessimists are more likely to quit trying when difficulties arise.
They persevere. Optimists don’t give up quickly, and they are also known for their patience as they Inch their way a step closer to that goal or elusive dream.
Again if you need to hear this, Optimists are healthier and live longer. Medical research has justified that simple pleasures and a positive outlook can cause a measurable increase in the body’s ability to fight disease.
Another great reason for becoming more optimistic is that Optimists age well (better). They are much more accessible than most people from the usual physical ills of middle age and beyond. They get to outlive those prone to negative thoughts. You see, all negative thoughts hurt everyone, but mostly the person who thinks them.
So why not be an optimist today? And think positively towards a more fulfilled life.
Why not look forward to success in all your endeavors? Why not be or become more resilient?
Like everybody else, you are bound to hit lows sometimes but don’t just stay there. Carry yourself out of the mud and improve your chances of getting back on the right track. And why not inspire others to remove their dark-colored glasses and see life on the bright side?
A simple trick on starting the process of changing this is when you catch yourself having a negative thought: “Cancel, Cancel,).
Say this simple phrase a couple of times until the sensation of feeling goes away, and you’ll slowly rewire your response.\
Closing Thoughts
Here are a couple of good books on learning to become an optimist: (if you push on the link, it will take you to the book on Amazon)
Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life
Remember to always focus only on what you want to create.
At any point in the slide back again, use “Cancel, Cancel” or “Cancel, Clear” and focus on what you want. As and when to
Good luck my friend you can do it!
