If you were to take a moment and think about the most recent thing that got you frustrated or down, or angry, would you be able to say that it was justified? That life was so hard on you that you deserve to be upset over whatever it was?
Was traffic too heavy today? Did a car splash that puddle all over your nice clothes? Did work just totally slam you with projects lately? Life is SO hard right?!
Wrong.
Life is not hard. If your life feels hard, it’s you making your life hard for yourself. Don’t ever mix those two things up, because they are very different.
Life is so good to you, but the only way to know that or see that is if you open up your mind to it. Yes, so life doesn’t always go your way, and sometimes it will always seem hard, but if you break it down, is it really as hard as you’re making it out to be? You probably need to change your life lens to the "perspective mode".
One of my favourite quotes is
“If you look for the bad, you will find it. If you look for the good, you will find it. We always have a choice between two realities: the positive and the negative. The reality we invest our energy in, is the one in which we exist”
In order to have a positive outlook you have to always keep the understanding of perspective in your back pocket. Perspective allows your mind to think outside of that moment where maybe you’re upset because you lost your job, or maybe your car got damaged, or perhaps you lost your keys and you’re locked out of your apartment.
Instead of thinking life is so hard, and throwing a pitty party for yourself (let alone bringing others down with you if you’re complaining to them about these seemingly “unfortunate” events in your life), perhaps you should remember things like:
Perhaps this job wasn’t meant to be. Now I have an opportunity to find another job and maybe this job will be what I’ve always wanted. Thank goodness I am capable of working and have the ability to get another job. Or;
Thank goodness I am financially stable enough to even own a car. So the car got damaged, at least I have the back up of public transit which some people have to rely on for any sort of transportation. I’m lucky enough to have my own car. Or;
Thank goodness I have a roof over my head where I can be safe and have a space of my own. Getting a key replaced is nothing. I’m lucky enough that I can afford to live on my own.
You can probably see that these are small examples, and the lists of things to be thankful for could go on and on and on. Why is it so easy for us to forget these special aspects of our lives, when to some people they are the MOST important aspects? Ability to work, transportation, and roof over our heads. Yeah so you say you work hard in life and deserve these things – at least you have the opportunity!!!
It is SO important to put your life in perspective, ALWAYS. Not just when times are bad, or “frustrating” but that should be something you train your mind to do at any given time. If it’s a nice day outside, then get out there! Think of all the people who are dreaming of the day where they can feel the sun shine on their face, or feel the breeze, or watch a sunset or just be able to walk. You have this at your fingertips!!
These are things we forget how lucky we are to have. We should never forget how important they are. To witness someone just aching to be outside or to walk, or to feel fresh air, is something you’ll never forget. Remind yourself daily of how lucky you are. You are living a life that billions of people could only dream about. You have more opportunities than more than 80% of the entire world (probably more).
So the next time you have car troubles, or work is being tough on you, or the store doesn’t have the item you were looking for – remember to pull out the perspective that’s sitting ready for you in your back pocket. I trust it’ll help you through these “difficult” times :)
Commentaires