Why is it that we tend to pay more attention to our problems and their symptoms than to all the things in our life that are going well or right? Have you noticed that the more time we spend thinking about our problems the bigger they become? So, why do we choose to focus on our problems and give them most of our attention so that they come to take up more and more of our day, rather than on all the things that are right and beautiful just now?
We have the option to view the world in one of two ways: with a pares (alchemists) or a stone outlook/attitude.
| Pares Outlook | Stone Outlook |
| Sees the ‘whole’ picture: sees what is happening now in the context of the bigger and eternal picture. Sees benefit in everything. | Sees only what is in front of him and isn’t able to put it into the bigger and eternal picture. Is not able to see the benefit. |
| Sees opportunities/possibilities to learn and grow, turns iron into gold. | Sees problems/complaints and asks: why me? |
| Sees the potential, qualities and goodness of others and encourages this. | Tends to focus on what is wrong with others and rather than what is great about them. |
| Unlimited and timeless outlook. | Limited and time bound outlook. |
| Knows that there is ‘no end’ and so experiences absolute security, and because of feeling so secure happiness and love are able to flow. | Sees endings and so is insecure and the heart shrinks and clings tot hings. |
| Is full and content. | Feels need and wanting. |
| Is able to resist what knows is wrong and so has a clear conscience. | Does not always resist and then experience’s their conscience biting. |
