Things are the way you think they are, because you think
they are that way. An interesting statement I know, but let’s
break it down a bit if you will, and see what this Really
means.
When it’s all said and done, “things” do happen right? In
fact there is a bumper sticker that I am sure you have all
seen which had been the National catch phrase that really
summed it up in a more colorful manner....&#IT Happens!
Remember that one?
Well, this got me to thinking...you know what? That sticker
is right, life is going to throw us a few curve balls now and
then. I believe that is simply a part of life itself. It’s not
really a matter of If something challenging is going to come
our way or not, but only when these things are going to arise.
Now if this is an agreed upon statement, let’s continue down
this road a bit more...
Since things are going to happen anyway, shouldn’t we
maintain the most Positive solution searching attitude toward
them for when they do? I mean, it beats the alternative
doesn’t it? And have you ever noticed that no matter how
dreaded the situation seemed at the moment, over time it is
realized that it wasn’t so horrible after all? I tend to refer
to this as “mid-night thinking“, you know, when we lay awake
in the middle of the night worrying over every little thing,
every little sound, every problem or situation that we
possibly could, and then in the morning we realize that
everything is fine and we laugh at ourselves, wondering what
the heck we were worrying about in the first place?
For, when daylight comes, or any light is cast upon our
crisis, (like reality) it’s our Interpretation of the
experience, not the experience itself that determines the
emotions we attach to it. And even more importantly, it’s this
reaction (the way in which we respond to adversity) that
others determine our character as a person to others. What do
I mean by this? Well, simple really...we learn more about
someone's character on their bad day-when things go wrong, far
more than we can learn about them while everything is going
right. Let’s face it, it’s easy to be all happy and go-lucky
when things are going your way, but it’s when the chips are
down that we learn what we need to most about who they really
are as a person.
A dramatic illustration of this was unfortunately on 9-11.
Why did mayor Guliani and president Bush’s support and
approval rating go through the roof on this infamous day? It
was Because everyone saw how they dealt with crisis, and then
the world took notice and applauded their strength, gaining
the respect of the Nations by the way they handled their
horrific situation.
Some saw this tragedy as something that would pull the
American people apart, others, especially the aforementioned,
saw it as an opportunity to pull us all together. Things were
the way they Thought they were, because they thought they were
that way.
An adverse example would be where we've all seen (great)
things, wonderful things, happen to others, like someone
getting a promotion at work that some would dreamed of, and
then heard them say under their breathe in a sarcastic tone,
“well...it looks like now I’ll be having to work more than
ever, whoopee...great promotion.” never appreciating the
opportunity being bestowed unto them.
Compared once again in a brighter light to when we’ve seen
tragedies that most would run from, and witnessed people rise
to the moment and make the most of it, learning from the
experience if nothing else, what we will never tolerate again.
What’s the true difference here? I believe it comes down to
this, we have two choices, 1.) We can let the situation
dictate our attitude, OR 2.) We can let our ATTITUDE dictate
the situation. The best part is, the choice is ours.
Now with this in mind, for the next time things come up,
and come up they will...write down this simple little message
and keep it with you, or even better, write it down twice,
once for yourself and another to share with someone you love.
“Things are the way you think they are, because you think
they are that way.”
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