Not long ago, I traveled back east to Ohio and Chicago. While I was there, I was amazed that the friends I made along my journey seemed to have completely different observations of the state in which they lived.
For example, when I asked what the winters were like in their town, I got completely opposite answers from people, depending on where they originally lived. When I asked the question of a former Californian, she talked as if she'd landed in Siberia, recounting the snowfall and treacherous conditions meant for only the wildest of beasts. When I asked the same question of a native resident, he painted a beautiful picture of the changing seasons, each more spectacular than the last, and recounted wonderful memories of having the fortune to grow up in such a picturesque land.
What's the difference here?
Their perception dictated their experience.
It's like the old stories about a bank robbery. The event could take place in broad daylight, with 30 eyewitnesses, yet each gives a completely different account of what he or she saw happen. It's like when someone in your office or home says something to you, and you receive a different message than the person intended.
Why does this happen?
I believe it's because
Our perception determines our experience.
It works like this. I bet at one time or another we've all gone into a grocery store and noticed that everyone seemed happy, helpful, and cheery that day. Even the people in the checkout line were full of good spirits. Yet, when we've gone another day, we've had a completely different experience. We found people to be grumpy and in a bad mood-every one of them.
I believe we view our outside world the same way we see ourselves in our inside world. That's why many people continually attract drama into their lives while others do not, or why some people get into fights all the time while others refuse to let the same situation get the best of them.
If this is true, it explains a lot. It could be why, when we feel out of place and chaotic on the inside, we tend to attract more chaos and drama to our outside self. If we feel anger and resentment on the inside, we will, in turn, attract it to our outer world as well.
With that said, let me ask you the following question:
How's your outside world looking lately? Are the people around you happy and productive? Are they full of life and passion, or do you find yourself in your own little tornado that seems to constantly bring nothing but negative energy your way? In other words, does it seem like everyone around you has problems and can never catch a so-called break?
Remember, in life you have choices. You have the choice to work on your inner self, to create a brighter outer self. Have you ever seen someone who's lost some weight and noticed that they seem to have a new glow? Or looked into someone's eyes just after their first child was born? There's a spark there, right?
Well, here's the good news. You have the ability to re-spark yourself.
Here's this month's challenge: Take notice.
That's it. I'm not asking you to do anything but become aware of how you're viewing things around you.
By doing so, you'll find that when you're at your happiest, everyone else around you will be as well. On the flip side, if you want to know why the world seems to be crashing in on you, look inside and see what's out of place, and then take action to repair it.
It's that simple.
Because when it's all said and done,
Our perception determines our experience.
************************************
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated - send to: GregReid@AlwaysGood.com
About The Author
Gregory Scott Reid
Speaker and two-time #1 best-selling author, The Millionaire Mentor and Wake Up: Live the Life You Love www.AlwaysGood.com
It does make you wonder sometimes, doesn't it? You know... Read More
Masterminding is about a group of like-minded, achievement-oriented individuals who... Read More
What it takes to GROW!In almost every workshop we deliver,... Read More
As a whole I think there is a sad tendency... Read More
Are you using the Life Potential you have been given?... Read More
Spirituality coaching is more than creating goals and holding someone... Read More
As a manager you are constantly being asked to do... Read More
This morning I watched a news article about a young... Read More
"Nothing is more practical than for people to deepen themselves.... Read More
Our bodies are made of pure energy. With Quantum physics... Read More
"Fortune befriends the bold." - John DrydenI regularly work with... Read More
Improve Your Life! How to Hire A Coach.A reader writes,... Read More
One of the mainstays of American culture is the "Great... Read More
Sometimes life can seem like one long series of unsolvable... Read More
In the 1950s Abraham Maslow published a book entitled "... Read More
Have you ever thought about what really creates self-esteem? Having... Read More
Have you ever known anyone who asked themselves "Why me?"... Read More
One of my clients gave me permission to tell you... Read More
When you invest your time in being a mentee you... Read More
One of the most distressing observations I have made among... Read More
My sister is a woman now beginning her thirties. She... Read More
One of the most effective ways to help your staff... Read More
As a coach that specializes in marriage, couples and family... Read More
1. Pretending You Are Interested When You Are NotDo yourself... Read More
Do you know an individual at work who is a... Read More
How often do you hear a parental voice in your... Read More
Do you feel you are in charge of your life... Read More
My work in organizations involves dropping habitual ways of perceiving... Read More
Do you have a self-development toolbox? Do you have a... Read More
When a conversation is not working out there is the... Read More
"I can't wait!" she exclaimed over the phone. The anticipation... Read More
Recently at a Pharmaceutical meeting in Europe, one of the... Read More
Have you ever noticed geese flying overhead, whether that be... Read More
Have you ever noticed how the way you feel about... Read More
Once upon a time, a very long time ago, when... Read More
What is it like to be on the receiving end... Read More
Whether it's making a prospecting call to a promising business... Read More
"I can't wait!" she exclaimed over the phone. The anticipation... Read More
As a therapist, I often suggest to clients that they... Read More
Randall sought my help because he was stuck being miserable... Read More
The scenario?The company has decided it needs to eliminate costs.... Read More
Managing cash flow is every small business owner's most important... Read More
So, you're ready to start coaching. You either have some... Read More
What If You Could Ask Anyone For Help?Have you ever... Read More
You know, what are you saying to yourself? There's always... Read More
At 2pm last Wednesday, I got a call from one... Read More
If you have a daunting task and the mere thought... Read More
Sound familiar? If you want to manage anger, the only... Read More
You may be just starting, or contemplating, your first online... Read More
My sister is a woman now beginning her thirties. She... Read More
It never ceases to amaze me that every time I... Read More
When we are ill and don't know it, we are... Read More
Can you recall a time where you utilized silence to... Read More
No one gets through life without being hurt by another... Read More
Not long ago, I traveled back east to Ohio and... Read More
Teachers enter the profession with the desire to help others,... Read More
Never understimate the power of a well-written word. Tens of... Read More
One of my clients gave me permission to tell you... Read More
Six steps we can take to reduce our risks for... Read More
Recently, when out to dinner with another couple, my husband... Read More
First of all, criticalness breaks up more relationships, than anything... Read More
"I can't seem to discover why I'm on the planet.""What... Read More
If you know who I mean when I say Kwame,... Read More
The underground train in London can get you anywhere when... Read More
Seems like a gal always learns something out on the... Read More
When we see people do things we cannot do, or... Read More
Coaching |