Last week in South Texas we were setting record temperatures for warmth. Last night a cold front came rushing through and the temperatures plummeted 40 degrees (F). Okay, it was still not close to freezing, but it was noticeably colder. Some folks complained about the warm weather. When the cold front came through, they complained about the cold weather. Complaining doesn’t do much good especially if what we’re complaining about can’t be changed. We can always view our circumstances differently. For example, when unseasonably warm weather arrives I can wear short sleeve shirts, take a nature walk, or clean up my garden area. As for the cold front, I can enjoy the clean, fresh air (thank you Canada), a sense of energy, and cook up a healthy pot of lentil soup. Changing our viewpoint changes everything. Change what we can change. Let go what we can’t change. Enjoy it all.
viewpoint
Today’s Thought: It Amazes Me
Some things amaze me. Driving through the city is one of the things that amazes me. Each day when I’m driving, the overwhelming majority of people are driving safely. For the most part, there are no police around. How amazing is this? People stop at red lights. People let those in crosswalks cross the street. Yes, there are stories of road rage, and we all see people running a red light. Most of the time, we’re working together to safely get to where we want to go. It’s one of the things we take for granted, but it is a big deal. It illustrates that when we care for each other life becomes less stressful.
Be Selective in What You Listen To – An Inspiring Quote by William James
Our view of the world is truly shaped by what we decide to hear.
William James
Thinking Out Loud: What Do You See?
Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Cervantes work, Don Quixote.
“The moment he saw the inn he pictured it to himself as a castle with its four turrets and pinnacles of shining silver, not forgetting the drawbridge and Moat and all the belongings usually ascribed to castles of the sort. To this end, which to him seemed a castle, he advanced, and at a short distance from it . . . hoping some dwarf would show himself upon the battlements and by the sound of trumpet give notice that a knight was approaching the castle. Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote
Note: Don Quixote was a dreamer. He saw things not as they were but as they could be. That’s the way it is with dreamers. One person looks at a house and sees a building. Another looks at the same property and sees a home overflowing with love. One person sees a piece of bread and tosses it in the trash. Another sees a piece of bread and sees a meal. How do we look at ourselves? Do we look at our lives with dull, clouded eyes. Or, do we look at our lives with a dreamer’s eyes seeing not what is but what we will become?
Something to Think About
There would be fewer wars if world leaders put their children on the front lines. There would be less hunger if those in power had to live in poverty for two weeks. There would be less crime if leaders had to live in crime infested ares. It’s easy to make political gain and criticize when we are far removed from the problems. When we are placed in the midst of the problems, our viewpoints change.
Today’s Power Thought ~ Make More Friends, Get More Done
The default is to find fault. Bypass the default and find good. Find areas of agreement instead of areas of disagreement. You’ll get a lot more done and make more friends.
👁 Today’s Optical Illusion
What Do You See?
Which yellow circle is larger, the one on the left or the one on the right?
Answer: The yellow circle are the same size.
👁 Today’s Optical Illusion ~
What Do You See? A Vase or a Mirror?
👁 Today’s Optical Illusion ~
What Do You See? Look carefully.
Do You See a Four Legged Elephant or a 5 Legged Elephant?
