Sometimes our mind loves to be in its comfort zone. We just love to stay inside our cocoons and enjoy the way we are, the way we think and the way we behave. This is okay to a certain extent but getting obsessed with it may land you in a lot of turmoil. Sometimes we tend to be so tightly clutched to our prejudices, mindsets, attitude and stereotypical thinking that we hardly see the flip side of people, things and situations.

Have you come across a situation when you fought over something in a stubborn way and later you realized that you were foolish to do so and there was some alternative to it? This phenomenon is quite common. It is because we tend to tightly stick to our own thinking and understanding. We don’t look into the other alternatives. This leads to turbulent situations in our health, relationships, profession, family life, social life and so on. The moment we start looking at other possible alternatives….our world changes!

Here are some of the different ways through which you can find variations in your thinking and perceptions:

The world is a mirror

The way you look at the world, it will reflect the same thoughts and energies towards you. If you radiate happiness, you will receive happiness. Similarly, if you cry or frown at someone, you would receive the same reaction. I had read somewhere that: “A smile is a curve that straightens many problems in life”. When things, people and situations try to make you feel awful, try not to react with the same negativity. Instead, try to calm yourself down and deal with them with empathetic understanding and genuineness. People may take wrong paths but if you tread along the right route, nothing wrong can happen to you. If not today, one fine morning you will experience your own share of sunshine and happiness.

From apathy to empathy

Sometimes we do not understand the state of mind or situation of others and react in an undesired manner. When something goes wrong or someone does something wrong to you, do not indulge in “tit for tat” behavior. Before reacting or responding back try to understand the actual reason of the person’s behavior or why did an unwanted situation crop up.

Many a times what is visible to our mortal eyes is just half of what the actual scenario is. Deep down a person or situation there may be much possible raison d’être or reason that you would not be aware of otherwise. So it’s always good to nurture an empathetic understanding towards people and situations.

Do not lead a calculated life

As a therapist, I have seen many clients in pain just for a simple reason that they lead a calculated life. As in, they can’t cope with a slight change or challenge. If they go to the office by their car means they will go by a car. If the car breaks down then they will get panicky. This is just a simple example. Life is an unknown road guys. There are times when life will take unknown turns and we will not always be on the driver’s seat to control it. So what should be the solution to this?

The best possible way is to remain prepared for the best and for the worst. You need to balance between the odds and evens of life. So what if the car did not start on a Monday morning when you are already late to the office? Things will not be easy, but rather than lamenting and kicking the car’s tires you can take another mode of conveyance instead!

In short, life never leaves us hopeless. It is always full of chances and solutions. We just need the creativity and vigour to explore it and utilize it to the best of our needs.

Recognize, love and value yourself first; don’t be malleable and ductile

If yo do not know yourself, if you do not love and value yourself enough….you can be very malleable and ductile. As in, anyone can mold you in any way he or she wants. Suppose if you are a very beautiful or handsome person If you yourself do not believe in this fact…then if I will tell you that you look old, ugly and shabby, the next moment you will jump in front of the mirror and apply all techniques to look elegant and fab again!

Don’t let this happen to you. Believe in yourself, recognize your worth and love yourself first. Only when you are beautiful and peaceful inside out you can face the world and any challenge in it. Doing so will also capacitate you to stand strong in every walk of life. (Of course, there should be room for improvement too. I mean to say that value yourself but do not get obsessed by it so that you would stop respecting others.) Balance is the key.

From pressure to Passion and Perseverance

It takes efforts to transform obstacles into stepping stones and building blocks. But, if you successfully do so, then no one can stop you in achieving your goal or aspiration. No matter how frustrating or a big failure life seems to be…just go ahead and flip the graph. Rather than getting churned up by your setbacks, try to learn from the loopholes and use the learning as strong weapons to win the battle.

Each and everyone start their journey towards living a happy and fulfilling life. Only the ones who fell down, got up and kept walking could reach their desired destinations. Similarly, life will manifest itself with many challenges and thorns. In order to walk strongly on it, you need to look into alternatives and possibilities. If you will be stubborn and keep walking on that thorny road, you will only hurt yourself. So try not to be too hard on yourself and others. Just remember that “This too shall pass”. You just need to exercise your mind on different variations and solutions.

Best Wishes,

Sareeta