Change Your Perspective

Look at the picture above. What do you see? Is the glass half empty or half full? It’s not the quantity, it’s your perspective.

Review the scenarios below:

Nancy went to a wedding. While detailing the events, she focused on, the room was too small, the caterers were too slow; two of the bridesmaids got into an argument; one of the groomsmen looked hungover and the music sucked. And ended with, if she planned the wedding, things would be different. She would do this, or she would do that. Nancy didn’t highlight anything positive about the wedding.

Natasha went to the same wedding. Her comments: the bride’s dress was gorgeous; the wedding couple gazed into each other’s eyes throughout the ceremony; and the decorations were unique and beautiful. And, concluded, she danced so much, she had to take off her shoes. She saw the same things as Nancy, however, she led with the positive.

Be honest, who do you identify with Nancy? or Natasha?

Of course, there will be people who will detail both the good and bad portions. But there are too many people who always detail the negative first, as if they are looking for flaws. Always commenting this should have been done or why did this not occur? Are you one of these people? It may be difficult for you to realize or admit it, because you’ve had his outlook for so long, it almost comes as second nature for you. If there are a hundred items, ninety-nine being positive, will you dwell on the one negative item? Your negative perspective tells a lot about you and your life. It is always easier to see the imperfections in others but cannot identify the failings in your life.

This is not to say to go into situations seeing only the good and blocking out the bad. All weddings, parties, vacations, or reunions will have high and low points. And some of them will be disastrous worthy of an unfavorable narrative.

Don’t be a Negative Nancy or a Negative Nathan. Learn to express at least three or more favorable things, before giving your gloomy details. Also, remember when you express negativity with others, people, in turn will express negativity toward you. You will begin to wonder why others are treating you so adversely. Change your perspective. Change your life.

Family gatherings are approaching, what will be your outlook on them?

⁴¹ And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? ⁴² Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye. Luke 6:41-43 King James Version.