One day a rich father took his son on a trip to the country with the purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent the night with a very poor family. When they returned from their trip, the father asked his son, “Did you see how poor people live? What did you learn?”
“The trip was great!”, the son answered. “I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden, they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lamps in the garden, they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have the whole horizon. Thanks, Dad for showing me how poor we really are.”
Wayne Dyer said, “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change.”
If we change the meaning we give a situation, and look at it from a different point of view, then we can change our reactions and feelings.
When you have an experience that upsets you, ask yourself,
- “How many ways can I see this?
- “How will these views help me to feel or act differently?”
Pick the view that makes you feel the best.
Things in this world have the meaning that you give it; why not create a meaning that empowers you?
If you lose your job, view it as a new beginning. If you make a mistake, see it as a learning experience. If you get into an argument with your partner, step into their shoes and see it from their point of view. There is no right or wrong meaning. It is all perception.
It’s a GAME we are always playing, but one that can get us in trouble.
