It's 50 (10c), cloudy, and between light rain showers in the Ozarks of SWMO. A couple of months ago I would have called it a cold and dreary afternoon. Today I am taking advantage of the warmer weather by sitting on the deck, smoking a cigar, and enjoying the sounds of the rural outdoors.
Perspective matters.
Because I gravitate towards mindfulness, self-awareness, and the effects of self-talk, the algorithms that control my news feeds often point me to articles that cover the benefits and pitfalls of how we think and how we perceive the world around us. People can live in essentially the same conditions and environments. Some will be peaceful and thrive while others are anxious and struggle.
At the shelter there are always people that are grateful for a warm, safe place to sleep, and there are always people that complain that it's too warm, too cold, we don't have the oatmeal they like, or something else.
Perspective matters.
So how do we control our perspective?
I guess that really is the key question. I wish I had the answer.
For me, it really is a matter of gratitude.
However, I've also realized that it is not my place to tell you how you should see things in your world. My way of seeing the world doesn't diminish your way of seeing it from a different vantage point. And while I can try to understand your perspective; I cannot force you to try to understand mine, much less accept it as your own.
In a previous life I was a pretty good salesperson, In the retail world I sold jewelry and building materials and was pretty successful at both. Even as an evangelist (really just a glorified salesperson if you'll pardon the pun) I was pretty good at convincing others to my way of thinking.
I've found great peace in being able to share my thoughts without the expectation of trying to convince others that they need to convert to my way of thinking. It's unfortunate that I haven't always sold a good product. In fact, I regret that I may have convinced people to believe some things that I now see as loads of horse manure.
I think that "Live and let live" might be too simple of a motto to follow for life, but it's a good beginning.
You may disagree with me, and that's okay.
As for me --
It's 50 (10c), it's December, and it's raining.
And I am grateful that you don't have to shovel rain!
John
Thank you so much for sharing this thoughtful post in which we get to know you better. Gratitude, yes, I believe it takes on a life of its own and I really see things through those eyes. "I've found great peace in being able to share my thoughts without the expectation of trying to convince others. " Love this As a public health outreach worker, I was a con man for the benefit of the clients. I would use whatever psychology I understood in order to convince them to behave in a way that protected themselves and that they were worth it. It's deeply gratified to see former clients living mature successful lives around town. When I remember them in quite a different condition. The same might be said for myself. I've grown quite a lot over the years. Aloha friend
ReplyDeleteAloha
ReplyDelete" Some will be peaceful and thrive while others are anxious and struggle. "
ReplyDeleteLiberals/conservatives.