Wishful thinking, optimism – what is the difference?
Wishful thinking? If only… then I sit back and wait. I don’t take any action to bring about the change I would like to see.
Optimism? Optimism is an attitude that we can develop. Optimism creates a powerful force of positivity and can change our reality and positively influence the world and others around us. It brings enthusiasm, courage, determination and faith with it.
Taking action.
-Consider the situation that you find yourself in today, does it not have a history to it?
-Is not whatever you are thinking and experiencing today in some way the result of your past?
Many philosophies say that whatever situation we find ourselves in today we have in some way been involved (knowingly or unknowingly) in creating it. This also means that we can change it. In fact only we can change our own current situation, taking the help we need as we need it.
If we deny our part in this we become victims of our present circumstances and feel that we can’t change anything… we just wish. We need to take charge and act. If we worry about how ‘bad’ everything is then we won’t be able to pull our selves out of our current situation; optimism conquers worry.
If I want my future to be ‘more’ than it is today I have to act today to create it.
I alone am the master of my own destiny.
It all begins with changing my thinking.
Note: if we consistently think in a certain way over time we make that our reality.
1) Clarify what you want to create for your future. How would you envisage it?
2) Qualify for it = changing our thoughts, words and actions to match the vision we have for ourselves.
Human nature is first and foremost merciful, compassionate and altruistic (selfless). When we lose sight of this we become selfish, greedy and ego-driven. To create our destiny is to live our goodness today. If you live well today you will have nothing to worry about/for in your future.
Others?
What we think and experience we emanate and others can sense and are influenced by that. If we create an energy of love and compassion around ourself, this is what others pick up on and what they resonate with. If I criticise (even if only in my mind) I will find others criticise me back as this is the vibration that they pick up on and resonate with. Likewise we are affected by those around us. We become each others’ victims in this way.
Some practices we can do:
a) Our minds have the capability to create only that which is good, positive and right for us. Aim for fewer but more positive thoughts. Take just one thought such as ‘I am peaceful/loving/secure’ and persist with it. Give it a chance to work and so yourself a chance too.
b) Be a mother to your mind, treat it like a mother would her child. If a child makes a mistake, cries, falls down what would a mother do? Nurture your mind in this way.
c) If we become upset with something we tend to get pulled deeper and deeper into that upset, this makes us weak. Teach yourself to: observe (not suppress) your feelings; acknowledge them; take responsibility for them and say ‘I can change this feeling/attitude’.
d) Watch everything around you as if you are watching a movie and in such a way that you can choose when to step into a scene or remain silent, rather than becoming subsumed by it and so subservient to the scene. This allows you to be one that is able to influence each scene in a positive way. When we are caught in the play we are too busy protecting (using ego, anger, attachment etc).
The spiritual aspect?
If we bring in a spiritual aspect our hearts becomes strengthened. Love and compassion are based on truth. Truth allows us to stop judging others, to understand their hearts and so our love and compassion for them grows. The feeling of threat from others goes. We understand why things and others are as they are and why I am as I am. This creates a feeling of co-operation towards others and not competition.
