Half empty, or half full? What's your perspective?

Is the glass half empty or half full?

That’s one of those questions we’ve all heard. Maybe we laugh as we discuss the answer amongst friends. But once the comedy ends, we drink whatever half is left in the glass and we move on, without another thought about the underlying depth of this contemplation.

The paradox is that the glass is both half full and half empty, simultaneously. Depending upon the day, your mood or your life experiences, you’ll have a tendency to answer accordingly. It will be what it is for you, and you’ll likely stick to it. This is where perspective comes into play. Perspective is one of the single most important determinants of how our lives will unfold, and the kicker is that we, alone are in 100% control of how the entire thing turns out.

There are two sides to every story. Really, there are a million. There are so many different ways to look at and feel about everything that is. No matter how we think, react, are… we are never wrong, and we are never right. We are simply carrying about, in control or out of it, unfolding our lives as the events surface. How many of us are aware that we have any control in our lives? How many of us feel confident enough to take advantage of this power? How many of us are free enough from fear, guilt and confusion to believe that we can turn any unfortunate event into something splended, fulfilling and joyful? How many of us believe we deserve such a beautiful gift?

Changing your overall perspective of life is not only fulfilling and attractive to the Universe and it’s gifts, but it is also a process. It doesn’t take hard work, but it does require diligence. The first step is to become aware, and if you have read thus far, you can check that off the list. Awareness never goes away once it’s received. You cannot ‘backslide’ from awareness. You can temporarily misplace the information somewhere in a boggled mind, but you can never unlearn a gem of wisdom that has been placed before you.

The next step is to pay attention to your habitual thinking. This is tricky since it’s almost as if we have to catch ourselves being ourselves. You must literally see yourself in the third person and objectively assess each of your thoughts. The best way to go about this is to become aware of your feelings. If something doesn’t feel good, find out why. Nothing is external. There are ways to view circumstances that seem terrible with a light heart and a keen eye for knowledge. Dissect all bad feelings to get to the root of why something is bothering you, and then figure out how to change your perspective.

Let’s use traffic as an example. Most of us hate sitting in traffic. Why? It may be hot outside, it may be cold. We may be late for an appointment. We may have a long list of things to do and we’re impatient with all those cars in front of us. Sitting in traffic is actually a wonderful opportunity to have some ‘us’ time. If there are a million cars in front of you, there’s not a darn thing you can do about it. Turn on the radio and sing. Turn off the radio and enjoy the sunshine. Look around you and notice the beautiful birds, architecture, clouds and scenery that you usually miss as you speed by. Admire that 1968 Mustang next to you on the road.

Get to know yourself.

Figure out why you’re huffing and puffing over something that you can’t change. Are you feeling guilt for being late? Are you tense because you’ve got too many things to do? Notice those feelings, breathe and then relax. Find a new focal point. Focus on something that feels good.

This example, in a nutshell, is how you may always go about ridding yourself of all feelings that aren’t nice. You always have a choice to feel good or feel bad. No one can change these feelings for you. No matter how your kids act, what the weather report says or how little money you’re bringing into your life, you can always decide to focus on that which is good and plentiful.

Make this a new habit. Once this process becomes second nature, you’ll notice all the good things that follow. Magic will begin to happen in your life and you’ll wonder how you missed something so simple for all these years. It’s a journey. It’s your movie. It’s your life. Be the shining star and pass on the goodness.

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