Perspective is so amazing. It can be formed by our upbringing. It can be influenced by our jobs. It can be manipulated by society.
This quote by Abraham Lincoln says it all. “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” Wow. Just think about that for a minute. Have you ever pricked yourself with a thorn from a rose bush? Perhaps, instead, you were enjoying the beauty and aroma of the flower from a thorn bush. That changes things. You are aware there are dangers and you don’t mind because the rose is worth the risk. Rather than being angry or annoyed from the pain and injury, you can be happy that you had the opportunity to partake in such elegance as the delicate flower from a harsh thorn bush. Like a rainbow, it can be the beauty in the midst of a storm.
Take that same change in perspective and move it to everything in life. Rather than believing the person that annoys you or interferes with your day is doing so maliciously, think about it from their side. Why are they annoying you or interfering with your day? Maybe they are lonely. Maybe they hurting. Maybe they have never been taught manners. Maybe they don’t have the life skills or knowledge to do what you think should be done. Maybe, just maybe, they have been hurt before and are trying to keep from being hurt again.
How about changing your perspective on traffic from being upset and full of road rage to being grateful you have transportation and a place to go. Maybe the person who cut you off or is driving erratically is on his or her way to see a sick or dying loved one. Perhaps they are getting older and their vision and depth perception isn’t quite what it used to be.
You can also change how you think about dirty dishes. It isn’t a mess or a chore. It is a blessing. Dirty dishes mean you have food to eat and a place to eat it.
Perspective and conscious language go hand in hand. When you say something enough, your brain starts to believe it. Look on YouTube or do a Google search for TED talks on the power of words or conscious language. There are so many it is amazing. Why? Because they are all on to something.
Choosing your words wisely can make or break your day, your week, your month, or even your year. (Yes, I totally just used The Rembrandts “I’ll Be There For You” lyrics, also known as the Friend’s theme song, to get my point across.) Henry Ford said it best. “Whether you say you can or you can’t, you’re right.” Believing in yourself and using positive, carefully chosen words can have the greatest impact on your life. The most successful entrepreneurs didn’t take failure as a no, they believed it to mean not now or not that way. They reinvented, modified, or changed perspective and persisted to create alternating current, the automobile, the airplane, the smartphone.
Instead of saying to yourself “I don’t know if I can” change it to “I will”. Don’t say “I don’t know” or “I can’t” alone. I recently heard someone say if negative phrases are necessary, add yet to the end of it. “I don’t know yet” or “I can’t yet”. Do you see how that changes perspective and mindset? Use conscious language to encourage yourself to be better at everything.
Negative thoughts can invade your mind and tempt you to be hard on yourself. Most people are their own worst critics. Look at yourself from a child’s view. If you are a mother or a father, watch this YouTube video. https://youtu.be/CAqBv37nFq0 Heck, everyone watch this YouTube video. Learn to see from a child’s mindset. It’s only 3.5 minutes long. Believe in yourself like children do.
Surround yourself with positive people. I heard an interview with tobyMac where he remembered someone giving him advice years ago. I don’t remember the exact words but it was along the lines of every encounter you have with another individual you are either giving life or draining it. Be someone who gives life and encompass yourself with others who do the same. “Speak words to inspire” tobyMac, Speak Life.
Seriously. Be the light, the life, and the love other people need. Encourage those around you. Encourage yourself. Use positive, conscious language. See yourself from the eyes of a child. Look at things from a different angle. Change your perspective to see the thorn bush as having roses rather than the rose bush as having thorns.
Oily Minded Medic 