The best laid plans of Mice and Men
Despite all our best wishes the age old maxim remains true ‘the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray’.In this dynamic world we can not completely control our outcomes however we do have the power to react to the events that transpire in life. It turns out that our interpretation of these events becomes the biggest factor in determining the quality of our lives.
We all live under the same sky, but do not have the same horizon. The situation that you are born into does not determine your future, the only thing that shifts your reality is your ability to progress in spite of adversity. Every situation is an opportunity for you to progress or decline into mediocrity, the question is which path will you take?
Relentless optimism
From here on out you are going to always choose the path of progression. If your job lets you go, use this as an opportunity to learn new skills and take your life in a direction that you might have previously been afraid of. If your girlfriend/ boyfriend breaks up with you, learn how to become a better lover in the next relationship use this to strengthen your character. If your Internet is down use it as an opportunity to finish that book you have been reading for the past five years. There is always a path for progression, choose to focus on what you can gain from every situation.
Why is it that some people who are born into horrible circumstances are able to raise up and create exceptional lives and legacies for themselves, while others born in more favourable situations fade away into dust? It’s a matter of prospective. No one has a true view of the world, everything we interpret is subjective and is governed by our minds. If you see yourself as a victim ( check out my article on the victim mindset), you will inevitably never attain true fulfilment in your life. If you see yourself as a closer and someone who is stoic, you will attain fulfilment and ultimately happiness.
A method behind the madness
Try it out for a day, have a day in which you do not complain about anything. Accept reality as it is, and try to look for the path to progression in every situation. Our brains are malleable like steel, we can change our thought patterns removing the negative and keeping the positive mindsets that we need.
Once this becomes your general mode of thinking you will find that your happiness will increase naturally, when everyone is stressing during peak hour traffic, you will choose instead to enjoy the music in your car. While everyone is complaining about cleaning dishes, you will see this as a valuable activity as it allows you to listen to your favourite audio book or reflect on your day. Choose the path of progression and as 50 cent said, ‘TURN SHIT INTO SUGAR’.