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Today podcast title is, “Perspective is Everything.” Now let’s promptly break down what the word perspective means. The Merriam-Webster dictionary traditionally defines perspective as a mental view or prospect (to anticipate). It also defines it as the capacity to view things in their true relation or relative importance. 

Concerning this podcast, I will focus on the first definition which defines perspective as a mental view or prospect. Perspective is unique to each individual. It is our individual mental view or mindset. Therefore, how we see the world is based on our thoughts and what we expect. We see the world as good or bad based on what we anticipate happening. If you perceive the world as a place where you can possess what you desire, and your dreams can come true, then that will happen for you. But if you're a negative person and believe things will never happen for you, then that is how your life will be. You will constantly have problems and issues. Author and Motivational speaker, Wayne W. Dyer was quoted as saying, “Loving people live in a loving world. Hostile people live in a hostile world. Same world.”Have you ever been around a negative person? I mean, an annoyingly negative person that will sit and complain all day if you let them. No one wants to be around them because of their toxic vibe. When you invite them to your favorite restaurant, they expose problems with the food they ordered, the decor, the smell, everything. If you are smiling, they ask why you are happy. Once more, Dyer said, "Loving people live in a loving world. Hostile people live in a hostile world."Let me add to that; negative people live in a negative world. Pessimistic people live in a hopeless world. But the truth that can not be denied is we all live in the same world. 

Our thoughts shape our perspective. That is why we have to inventory our thoughts and pay attention to messages running through our minds. We, undoubtedly, have to make sure our thoughts line up with what we desire. Our thoughts determine our mood, actions, and life perspective. Many people live fake lives -- they portray false perceptions of their reality. Unfortunately, they have convinced themselves that their fake social media life is better than their actual lives. People are going into massive debt taking trips, and buying things they cannot afford to give the impression that they are doing better than they really are. People are competing with other people that are not watching. In today’s society, everyone wants to be famous. People measure their worth based on how many followers, views, and likes that they get. But truthfully, if you are not content where you are there is nothing you can post, share, or buy that will change that. Even if a million followers come - you will still find a reason not to be happy. 

We must learn to be happy with our lives as it is today. That doesn’t mean we don’t aim for more or don’t try to be better. It means we have to learn to be grateful and thankful for the good things that are happening for us today. We can’t get so caught up in thinking other people's lives are better than our life. We should not put unwarranted stress on ourselves while attempting to compete with other people. If I am going to put in all that work to compete with someone I want to get paid for it. We start thinking of things we can post that will get people’s attention. I sound like I know about this, right? I know I do because I have been there! I admit I have to examine myself routinely and remind myself of what I use social media for. My goal is to encourage and inspire people to aim for their goals. I am also there to keep in contact with my friends and family and have fun. Scientist and Philanthropist, Sir John Lubbock said, “What we see depends mainly on what we look for.” 

Our perspective means everything, it is everything. We have to affirm beneficial things to ourselves and drown out negative thoughts. That’s why I enjoy affirmations. Affirmations assist with keeping our perspectives in line with what we want to happen. When we focus our minds and attention on the things that we want — we will recognize opportunities during times when others see opposition. I am appreciative of Lewis Howard Latimer. You might be thinking, who on earth is that? Of course, I am going to apprise you. Latimer was an African American inventor that contributed to the invention of the light bulb and the telephone. His invention is the reason light bulbs can last for as long as they do. He perceived a problem and instead of allowing the problem to control his actions -- he saw an opportunity to make the world better. I’m certain everyone has at least one light bulb in their house and we have Lewis Howard Latimer to thank for that. The next time you look for the perfect light to take your selfie on your cellphone give a quick shoutout to Latimer. When we declare affirmations regularly, we remind ourselves and also reaffirm to the universe the things that we desire. Every living thing has to be feed. We have to nourish our bodies, our minds, even nature needs food. The same is goes for our dreams. We have to feed our dreams daily. Affirmations are an exemplary way to do that. 

If you are experiencing a down moment and not feeling inspired. Take a moment to reflect on what you have been thinking about... allow me to say that again... when you are having a hard time or you are feeling depressed and down take a moment to think about what you are thinking about. Author, Dan Brown says, “Sometimes a change of perspective is all it takes to see the light.” I find myself doing that a lot now. It aids me when I start feeling anxious or start entertaining negative thoughts. My therapist introduced this method to me. She had me put a rubber band around my wrist and I was not supposed to take it off. Anytime anxious or negative thought came to mind I had to snap the rubber band. I must be straightforward, that first day I was snapping that rubber band constantly. I slept in it, showered in it until it broke. That experiment revealed just how horrible my thoughts were. I had to come to grips with the fact that I had some work to do and that work started with which thoughts I wanted to feed and nurture. That exercise revealed that for me to become a better person, for me and the people that I love, I need to change my perspective. The only way I can achieve that is to first change the way I was thinking. I had to remind myself of my goals and dreams. My challenge to you is to examine your thoughts. Make sure they line up with what you want. Make sure we are not giving more power to our past and negativity.

The only thing negative thinking does for us is present us with a negative perspective on life. When we think that way we miss precious opportunities because we are not looking for them. We run away good people because we think everybody is trying to take advantage of us or trying to take something from us. We walk around with this rainy cloud over our heads 24/7 because we allow negative thoughts to dominate our lives. The only one that can control that is you! We're the only ones that can control our thoughts. The only people responsible for our thoughts is us. Period! Poet and Playwriter Oscar Wilde was quoted as saying, “The optimist sees the donut, the pessimist sees the hole.”Let me be clear, this is not a one time process. Directing our thoughts remains an ongoing process. It’s something we must do every day of our lives. Even when you are on vacation. Even when it's your birthday. We must, at all times, keep our thoughts in check. 

We have to treat our thoughts, perspectives, and especially our time like we would a million dollars. You wouldn’t give your money to just anyone. Or at least I hope you wouldn’t. You wouldn’t give that money to someone that would squander it. So why would you give your mental capital to people that don’t appreciate it and waste it? I have this love/hate relationship with social media. It can be immensely worthwhile and informative if you are following the proper people. But if you are following the wrong people it can be an enormous waste of time and life. I couldn’t find the originator of this quote but it says, “Don’t waste your words on people that deserve your silence.”

We must keep our thoughts and perspective in check. Furthermore, we have to make sure we aren’t rushing ourselves. Slow down. Enjoy the journey. Don’t carry out things that are outside of what you are absolutely contented doing to get where you want to be. Don’t step on and exploit people. Because trust me, you may get to where you are going, but you won’t be there for long. You may even find yourself where you want to be, but you will be all by yourself. Comedian, Steven Wright says, “Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.”As I said in the last podcast, “Why Discover Why” we can’t worry about how much time we have left on earth. We can’t limit ourselves using outdated science. We can not limit ourselves to antiquated ideas that say, women can’t have kids after 40. Or these ideas that by 25 everyone should know what they want to do in life. We can't be in a rush to live. We have to utilize the time that we possess on this earth to enjoy every minute. 

But what we don’t have time for is negativity.

Competing with people.

We don’t have time for comparisons. 

We don’t have time for doubt and self-hate.

We don’t have time to loathe in failure and disappointment.

When we take time away from the negative things, we will find that we have more time to give towards our aspirations and dreams. Once more, let's inventory our thoughts because that is the sole way we can maintain an optimistic mental view or perspective. If you are thinking, “how can she say that after what happened to Kobe Bryant he died way too soon? He was only 41.” — I hear you! But, I want you to look at everything he accomplished in those 41 years of life. Do you think he would have been capable of achieving all that he did that if he allowed himself to stay stuck in a rut? — He talked about how he handled hard times. He relied on his faith and purpose. Kobe was cited as saying, "I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure... We all have self-doubt. You don't deny it, but you also don't capitulate (surrender) to it. You embrace it. "No one is exempt from having doubts, fears, and insecurities." But the difference between those and win and those that don’t are the winners choose not to give in to the negativity. We have to accept that those thoughts are there and deal with them each and every time they come. We can not give in to them. 

Music by: Steffanccino and miyagisama

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