We are as happy and as miserable as the interpretations that we apply to our lives. The stories we tell about our experiences are ultimately what shapes our narratives. Take the following narratives:
He didn’t text me back so he doesn’t love me
She didn’t notice me I must not be attractive
I didn’t get the promotion so I’m not capable
These types of narratives are no doubt familiar to us all, but have you every paid attention about how much harm they do then good? They literally make us or others feel shit, that’s their only purpose. None of these narratives serves us positively. So, it got me thinking about what other ways can the same scenarios be reframed?
He didn’t text me back, I hope he’s ok
She didn’t notice me, I wonder what she’s distracted with
I didn’t get the promotion, I wonder what bullet I dodged
These are simple examples but they’re reframing the same scenarios from a different perspective; one that isn’t about depleting yourself to nothingness and judging another. The only way to grow compassion is through reframing the experiences in ways that enables us to see things from a different perspective. I am so over my learned thought patterns where I constantly look at things from a negative lens, assuming the worst about myself and others.
I need to change this way of thinking around, otherwise I will become bitter, resentful and ungrateful and that is not the path that I want to go down. These types of thought patterns do so much harm and they add zero value. Changing your way of thinking will require many trials and errors and a lot of frustration on the way, but it will also bring with it so much more joy and contentment.
Every journey starts with a small step, I’m not going to think about the frustration ahead, instead I’m going to focus on the joy that I’m going to seek.
Love Always,
M
Souloom™ 