Look for what's there not what's missing!
It’s very often asked “are you a glass half full or half empty person?” and many of us answer half full of course but is that true? For some of us we spend lots of time noticing (even obsessing) on what’s missing instead of what is present!
I’m beginning to think this concept of whether you’re a pessimist or optimist is flawed – it seems to imply we don’t have a choice – is that true? Can you choice to be a more positive person?? Is it possible to train your mind to look for what’s good in your life? I was brought up on songs like “count your blessings” and yet I still find myself blinkered in this respect. My vision seems blurred and sometimes my glass is not only half empty – it’s leaking too! Click here to see a list of half full or empty funnies.
Of course when we can focus on our lives there are loads of good for most of us – we have health, family, friends, jobs – some of these if not all to be thankful for. But more than this there are those moments in each day that are precious moments – when a child laughs, when the sun shines, when you find a parking space, when things seem to be going your way. We can miss these, busy looking for those things we perceive are missing, we fail to notice the power of moments and the good things in our lives.
So I’m talking to myself as much as to you this week – look for what’s there and not what’s missing – relish in the now and in the simplicity of small things. A few tips to help you do this:
1) Be aware of the now – ground yourself by noticing the simple things – your breathing, the feeling of sitting on a chair or the ground you’re standing on. Notice what’s around you, the sounds, smells, feelings and thoughts you have right now in the moment.
2) Write a list (as long as you think you can – and then double it) of the good in your life – the small and big things.
3) When you find yourself thinking on the things that are missing ask yourself what are the good things in that situation? For example what’s the 10% good in being alone – well you get to do what you want when you want!
Changing your mindset is a life long journey and there are some things we struggle all our lives with BUT there are ways to make a shift in your life that will transform your thinking, visit our website page on ‘what is coaching’ for more details.
