The Power Of Perspective
IS A GLASS half empty or half full? It is our perception that determines, quite literally, how we view the world. A positive perspective can make a silver-lining stand out around even the darkest of clouds.
There is this story of a German doctor who gave up a rewarding career in his home country, and fled to escape the oppressive regime of the Nazis. As a German immigrant he had to face animosity, prejudice and rejection in the country to which he emigrated. He had to eke out a living as a janitor. He had lost a rewarding occupation and a comfortable lifestyle and yet, he was not bitter. Every night he thanked the lord for giving him the opportunity to work, feed and educate his children without the burden of guilt in his heart. Each day was driven by hope, perhaps, of a better future for his children. What kept his spirits up and made him thankful instead of bitter and negative? His perspective.
Here is how anyone can maintain a positive perspective, especially in the face of adversity and negativity:
Think constructively.
Positive perspective springs from constructive thinking. It involves considering real solutions, problem solving, objectivity, logic, and honesty instead of dwelling in the past. Negativity and brooding will only make the issue seem much worse than it actually is.
Think of failures and setbacks as a learning experience
If you wish to fulfil your potential, you have to be willing to risk failure over and over and over again. Be ready to face problems, obstacles and temporary setbacks in the quest to achieve your goals. The important thing is to persist and learn from your mistakes. Each time you fail; remind yourself that success is just one step ahead of your worst failure.
Keep the faith
Cynicism and negativity become habitual with repeated use, but it takes it takes vigilance and faith to maintain an optimistic outlook. That faith can move mountains is no old wives' tale. Here is an inspirational story to illustrate the point. A middle-aged lady was travelling along a lonely road. It was a dark stormy night and she was miles away from any signs of life, when her car broke down. The lady got out of her car in the hope of flagging down a passing car. As ill-luck would have it, a great gust of wind banged shut the door of her car, locking her out. There she stood, cold, dripping wet and shivering, as the wind howled ominously about her. An hour passed, then another. Hope of being rescued was ebbing, and when she could take it no longer, she broke down and started sobbing. `Dear God,' she prayed, `I am cold, sick and can take it no longer. Please send somebody to rescue me, and I really need that person NOW.'
She was wiping her eyes when a beat-up older car drew up beside her. A young man in a ragged T-shirt and jeans got out. He had stringy hair, a fierce beard and looked like a tramp, but the woman was past caring.
`Young man, can you help me open the car and get it started?' The man gaped at her for a moment, and then quickly pulled our a little wire from one of his pockets and opened the car, as if by magic. He turned the ignition key, and the car purred back into life like a chastened baby.
The woman could hardly contain her relief. She threw her arms around the boy and cried, "You're such a good boy. The Almighty must have sent you." The young man stepped back and said, "No ma'am, I'm not a good boy. I just got out of prison yesterday." She jumped at him and she hugged him again -- fiercely.
"Glory be!" she cried. "He sent me a professional!"
The choice of being happy and seeing the brighter side of life is always with us, and yet the tendency to pick out whatever is wrong colours every perception and every feeling. Maintaining a positive outlook can be a tough proposition in the beginning, but with time and practice, it keeps getting easier and easier until it becomes an almost unconscious response.
BINDU SRIDHAR
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