Choose how you see the world
June, 2009
by Angelique Devost
Before I begin my workout at the gym, I warm up on the treadmill. On the opposite side of the room are three televisions tuned to three different stations. There is usually an entertaining program on the left, a talk show of some sort in the middle, and a news station on the TV on the right. Interestingly, even though I am not connected to the audio, my eye seems to get pulled to the news station on the right as I watch accused criminals being escorted into court or images of terrorist bombings - not very uplifting stuff.
As a general rule, I don't watch the news nor do I read the paper. I consider myself to be the guardian of my thoughts and emotions and most of what is broadcast and printed as news is a real downer and disturbs my peace of mind. It is very difficult to see life as anything other than scary and violent when we are bombarded daily with stories about everything that is wrong with the world.
Since when has a solution ever evolved from focusing on a problem? Or to quote Albert Einstein, "You can never solve a problem on the level in which it was created."
The premise behind the empowerment work I do is that we must shift our perspective from pathology to vision. In other words, in order to move our life in a new direction, we must draw our attention away from what is wrong or what we don't want, and focus on what we do want.
Imagine the collective creative power if we all focused on the great potential of our economy instead of the possibility of its collapse? Even better, what if we chose to see the beauty and good in the world instead of what's wrong with it? Do you see the difference in what the possibilities are when we choose to see the potential and not the problem? We can consciously choose the lens through which we view our reality. It's seeing the glass as half full instead of half empty on a large scale. To use another Einstein quote, "logic only takes you from A to B; imagination takes you everywhere." Focusing on potential instead of limitation unleashes our imaginations.
One great example of how positive mindset can lead to large scale change is how India achieved independence without violence. Gandhi led by example, showing they could more easily create a new reality by lifting their words and actions. They saw themselves as empowered, not oppressed, and not fighting, but rather choosing to act as they believed was correct and honorable.
Some people reading this are likely thinking that I am naïve or delusional, but I shift my perspective and create a better reality for myself all the time and, it works in all areas of life - relationships, finances, health, self-image - nothing is exempt.
Imagine your thoughts and perspective as the TV station you tune into each day. Which station would you like to choose? What kind of world would you like to experience? Who do you need to be in that world so you contribute to its creation?
Life tends to deliver to us what we expect of it. What do you expect from your life? Try imagining a miraculous world for yourself! Give it a try!
Our empowerment programs are designed to help those who are struggling to make positive changes in their lives. For more information, visit our website or call 802-989-6694.