Hi Zahir!
Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Psychologist Martin Seligman, the godfather of the positive psychology moment, conducted extensive research in optimists versus pessimists. What he found was optimism can be learned. He discovered that optimists consistently talk about what they are rather than what they are not, or what they have instead of what they don't have. Pessimists have one thing in common, they talk about why things are not the way they should be and what they don't have.
We are not born pessimists. In fact, all children are optimists until we program them differently. Stand outside any amusement park on any given weekend and talk to the families that exit. Kids come out and you ask them, "What did you think of the park?" The gush, "Oh that was so cool!" Now talk to the parents and here is what they say, "Lines are too long". "Food was overpriced". "The damn noise and crowds get on my nerves". So is the amusement park a happy place or a place from hell? The answer is - it is neither. It depends on the meaning we give to it.
How did we go from being born optimists to being pessimists?
Somewhere along the way we were trained not to be optimistic in case things don't work out. If you are too optimistic and things don't work out you will be very disappointed. But if you are pessimistic and they don't work out you will be less disappointed and of course, you will be "right".
Seligman also states that we can learn or relearn how to be optimistic. According to his research optimists outperform pessimists ten to one! Maybe it is time to reprogram our thinking and ask, "What is good about this situation?" and if we cannot find the good, ask, "What does my reaction to this say about me?" This can help you to become more of an optimist.
Today will bring you a new awareness, a lesson or a manifestation that you are making progress - IF YOU LOOK FOR IT! No matter how large or small, please record it in your Evidence Journal. It will only take a few moments and will AUTOMATICALLY put you in the Flow.
Truly Caring for Your Success!
Dr. Robert Anthony
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Nothing In Life Has Any Meaning Besides The Meaning We Give It !
Hi Zahir!
Nothing in life has any meaning besides the meaning we give it.
How do we create meaning? In many cases we are programmed by our culture and the people around us. The truth is that all meaning is subjective. Some of us are taught that having designer clothes, a perfect body and having a lot of money is the true meaning of success. In other cultures having a loin cloth, a lip plate, long earlobes and living off the land is the true meaning of success.
Some of us are taught that death is sadness and others believe it is joyful because we get rid of our warn-out bodies so our spirit can move on and have more fun!
Imagine you are in the ocean and you are a poor swimmer. Behind you is a huge wave. Now what do you think? Do you think what an exciting and fun wave? No! You're scared as hell. Now imagine you are an experienced surfer and the same wave comes up behind you.
You say, "Cool. Hang ten. What a wave dude". Did the wave change?
Obviously it was just the meaning you gave to it.
If nothing in life has any meaning besides what you give to it then your experiences in life have nothing to do with what is happening in your life, but everything to do with the meaning you attach it to.
Understanding that you can choose the meaning to the events in your life gives you a tremendous power to change the quality of your experiences, the quality of your results and the quality of your life.
If you feel angry or upset ask yourself, "What does my reaction to this say about me?" In other words, what do I have to believe to experience the emotions I am experiencing right now in this situation? In short, you define your own experiences. You create your own meaning.
Today will bring you a new awareness, a lesson or a manifestation that you are making progress - IF YOU LOOK FOR IT! No matter how large or small, please record it in your Evidence Journal. It will only take a few moments and will AUTOMATICALLY put you in the Flow.
Truly Caring for Your Success!
Dr. Robert Anthony
Nothing in life has any meaning besides the meaning we give it.
How do we create meaning? In many cases we are programmed by our culture and the people around us. The truth is that all meaning is subjective. Some of us are taught that having designer clothes, a perfect body and having a lot of money is the true meaning of success. In other cultures having a loin cloth, a lip plate, long earlobes and living off the land is the true meaning of success.
Some of us are taught that death is sadness and others believe it is joyful because we get rid of our warn-out bodies so our spirit can move on and have more fun!
Imagine you are in the ocean and you are a poor swimmer. Behind you is a huge wave. Now what do you think? Do you think what an exciting and fun wave? No! You're scared as hell. Now imagine you are an experienced surfer and the same wave comes up behind you.
You say, "Cool. Hang ten. What a wave dude". Did the wave change?
Obviously it was just the meaning you gave to it.
If nothing in life has any meaning besides what you give to it then your experiences in life have nothing to do with what is happening in your life, but everything to do with the meaning you attach it to.
Understanding that you can choose the meaning to the events in your life gives you a tremendous power to change the quality of your experiences, the quality of your results and the quality of your life.
If you feel angry or upset ask yourself, "What does my reaction to this say about me?" In other words, what do I have to believe to experience the emotions I am experiencing right now in this situation? In short, you define your own experiences. You create your own meaning.
Today will bring you a new awareness, a lesson or a manifestation that you are making progress - IF YOU LOOK FOR IT! No matter how large or small, please record it in your Evidence Journal. It will only take a few moments and will AUTOMATICALLY put you in the Flow.
Truly Caring for Your Success!
Dr. Robert Anthony
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