Life as a Burden Vs. Live as a Privilege

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Is the glass half empty or half full?

Here's one that I have been having some success with lately: Do you approach life and all it contains as a burden or as a privilege?

As I've been learning recently, the burden-or-privilege view greatly influences your life for bad or for good.

Let's take a look at how this choice can affect your li

Life as a burden

A person with the burden view thinks and behaves like this:

Approaches the daily tasks of life grudgingly.

Spends much of his time complaining.

Appreciates just about nothing.

Is easily overwhelmed and depressed.

Gives those close to her the impression they are inconveniences in her life.

Dwells on the past, dislikes the present, dreads the future.

Believes pessimism/cynicism is a gift.

Believes if something bad happens it's fate; if something good happens it's luck.

Dwells on the faults of others, which blind her to their strengths.

Life as a privilege

A person with the privilege viewpoint thinks and behaves like this:

He or she approaches the daily tasks of life gracefully.

Instead of complaining, she identifies what she doesn't like and gets busy changing it.

He appreciates just about everything, especially the little things in life.

He sometimes feels stressed or sad, but he takes immediate action to change.

Those close to her get it that they are precious and cherished.

He learns from the past, enjoys the present, looks forward to the future.

She knows the gentle art of optimism.

He knows that he makes his own luck.

Though aware of the faults of others, she chooses to work with their strengths instead.

How to change

The interesting thing about these perspectives is that you could build a case for each one. There is enough good stuff and bad stuff out there to support either one. In other words, you could easily justify taking a burden perspective on life.

But why? If you are interested in moving from a burden perspective to a privilege perspective, here are a few tips:

Pay attention to your focus. What you focus on each day will determine how you see the world. If you focus on the problems, you'll have a burden perspective. If you focus on the solutions, you'll have a privilege perspective.

Perspective is simply a matter of choice. A negative perspective may have become a habit as a result of repetition. A habit is just a series of the same choices made over and over. Make some different choices, and you can change your perspective.

For a week, practice the characteristics of the privilege perspective. I think you will like the results, and so will those around you.

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.

---

What Do We Choose?

Life is an enigma...It starts without our knowledge, grows without... Read More

In A Slump?, Rejoice I Say, Rejoice!

Yea, I know........I hear you saying "that's easy for you... Read More

Self-Recovery from Addiction: Taking Responsibility for Your Life

I've had several coaching clients come to me who, while... Read More

How to Deal With No

No one likes rejection. And yet it happens. Here's how... Read More

Get Out of Jail Free: How to Identify Unconscious Beliefs

Know thyself.These words were inscribed in the vestibule of the... Read More

Think Positive: Using Affirmations to Create Health, Wealth and Beauty

You've heard the buzzwords: Attitude is everything! Change your perspective!... Read More

We All Send Signals

Think for a moment about all of the signals people... Read More

Moving? Pack an Emotional First Aid Kit

From Making the Big Move: how to transform relocation into... Read More

Sexual Abuse. A Story From A Survivor.

Uncle Liam was very kind to me again. He gave... Read More

Change

One thing in life is certain---change. Things never stay the... Read More

The Enchanted Self - Thats Each of Us!

In my years as a psychologist, I have come to... Read More

How Important is Attitude?

We have often missed the mark because we believe we... Read More

Using The Negative in a Positive Way ? God Does It All the Time

I loved Norman Vincent Peale's, Power of Positive Thinking as... Read More

Envisioning Your Ideal Self

In my work as a professional coach, I've had the... Read More

You Cant Plant Apple Seeds and Expect Oranges

Cheri decided that she wanted to grow an apple tree... Read More

Chanel Your Prosperity Energy Today

Every emotion, wether we classify it as good or bad,... Read More

You may be Shocked to Hear This

What I mean of course is, to appreciate life through... Read More

The Power of Positive Thinking: Unlimited Possibilities

Does negative thinking pay? Is it desirable for me to... Read More

From The WorkWise Collection: Transform Your Fears into Positive Power

Fear is a double-edged sword. It can hold you back... Read More

The Art of Thankfulness

With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be especially appropriate... Read More

You Have All The Resources You Need

You already have all the resources you need to accomplish... Read More

Stream of Consciousness

One thing that is important to realize about thought: one... Read More

Time To Give Up Resentment

Resentment isn't a spectacular emotion, but it is long-lasting and... Read More

Are You Thinking The Right Thoughts?

"A person is limited only by the thoughts that he... Read More

Beliefs

Do you realize that what we believe about ourselves, affects... Read More

Big Move to a Small Town

I'm getting calls from folks who say, "I hear you... Read More

How To Reduce Anxiety When Affirmations Dont Work

Have you ever read that you should think positively when... Read More

Creating Success Through Self-Affirming Thought Patterns

Everyone of us has the potential to successfully more through... Read More

Wahms, Dont Compare Yourself With Others!

Wahms, do you constantly compare yourself with others and come... Read More

Quick Fixes: Happiness In A Bottle

This is the age of the Quick Fix - the... Read More

Affirmations to the Rescue!

INNER CRITIC UNVEILED! Part 2: AFFIRMATIONS TO THE RESCUE!"Almost everybody... Read More

Dissolving Stereotypes through Personal Individuality

The other evening, I was meticulously assembling and painting one... Read More

Self-esteem: Does It Really Matter?

Some people are full of confidence and able to meet... Read More