Friday, July 22, 2011

There is a Reason Pessimists Often Stay Pessimistic

There are three main reality types in our world. One is the "optimist" who is constantly seeing the world with the "glass half full". Another is the "realist" who looks at each situation and calculates what is positive and what is deemed negative with each one. Often the "realist" calculates the risk of all experiences. Finally there is the pessimist who often views the world as the "glass half empty."

What is the reason these reality types stay within their conviction of seeing the world the way they do? The reason, our mind likes to say "I Told You So!". It does so by seeking out validation in our daily life which reinforces it's belief. Our mind rejects that which is foreign to its thought process by way of ignoring it. This process happens by default and unless aware of it, is difficult to change.

As an example, when we buy a new car. The moment we drive the car off the lot we have introduced it in our reality. At this point, as we drive, we notice many other people driving the same car! It becomes very noticeable and apparent in our daily life. The cars themselves have always been there, it is only now, when we have taken notice. Before this point our mind ignored the stimuli of the car because it was unimportant and outside of our reality. The moment it was introduced, our brain looked for validation by seeking out other cars which were the same.

Another example could be when a woman becomes pregnant or wishes desperately to have a baby. As they go about their day, they notice many other women who are pregnant or have new born babies. They are bombarded with this stimulus keeping their mindset strong of being pregnant or wanting to be.

Next is a short story titled "Red Light / Green Light" which is an excerpt taken from my book "I Believe Therefore I Am".

Two individuals are at point “A” and both must get to point “B” within half an hour. Both individuals are driving down the road and take the exact same route. Both individuals come to five different intersections before reaching their destination. Upon arrival at their destination one says, “I am here” while the other person exclaims, “Well, that was timed perfectly. Green lights the entire way!”

The difference between an optimistic reality and a pessimistic reality is the optimistic person noticed the five green lights! Both left at the same time, both took the same route, and both came to the intersections. Both received the same opportunities. It is the optimistic person who noticed!

This is a perfect example of the way our mind focuses on what it recognizes as truth. The pessimistic person feels or believes that life is meant to be difficult or perhaps is anticipating a bad day. When the pessimist is focused on difficult times, they fail to notice the advantages available to them. The optimistic person, on the other hand, is open to possibilities and is therefore more likely to notice small blessings that surround him or her on a daily basis. In this instance, the small blessings were the five green lights.

This interesting phenomenon happens every day and therefore each individual is performing this action by default. A person can only change their reality when they become aware of what they are focused on. What they are focused on is a mirror image to what they believe. It is also for this reason an optimistic person has a difficult time understanding or being around a pessimistic personality.

To break free of the pessimistic outlook begin to notice what your mind is focused on in your daily life. When you notice something which you believe to be negative, treat it as radar telling you your belief is out of alignment to what you truly desire! When you notice, consciously switch your focus by reminding yourself of what it is you are actively creating. Which is a life of opportunity and personal fulfillment?!

I shall leave this with you now and ask one question "Are you ready to believe?"

Kindest of Regards,

Claire McGee
Author: I Believe Therefore I Am

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

1 Thing to Turn Disabled into Able!

Having a disability has its challenges.   I know this because I too live with a disability called Fibre Type Disproportion Myopathy.  Waking up every day with a reminder of the condition we find ourselves in can be at the very least frustrating to an all out emotional and physical upheaval. 

All people are unique and are experiencing their own life.  We have our strengths and capabilities which can extend farther than we ever expected.  Each one of us has knowledge, desires, passion and ambition to master our ability to succeed.  One person can be excellent at one thing while another is amazing at something else.  A person living with a disability is the same! 

If you are someone living with a disability, know this, you are a strong capable person who can do many wondrous things!  It all comes down to choice.  You can chose to let your limitations get the best of you and continually feel awful about the situation you find yourself in, or, you can choose to do something about it. 

When you wake up each day, rather than focus on what you are unable to do, focus on what you can do!  Ask yourself a very important question, “What’s one thing I can do for me today?”  When you know the answer, do it!  Small or large, with grand purpose or simple pleasures, they are all equally important and help to change the mindset of defeat to personal strength and power.

A person reading this article might say, what about those who are quadriplegic?  The answer, they have a voice too!  Ask them questions about who they are and what they enjoy in life.  Empower them to focus on what does bring them joy.  Do this by building a relationship with them.  Ask them to look up for “yes” and down for “no”.  Asking key questions about their personality and what brings them joy can help their mind to visualize and focus on the finer things in life.  If they answer a question such as “do you like balloons?” and they respond with “yes”, bring them balloons!  It makes everyone feel good and at the same time the individual with the disability feels heard!

Always remember, everyone has the ability to do something.  What is yours?  Focus on that and make it happen!  You are amazing and can do it!

 Keep smiling that gorgeous smile of yours!

Kindest of Regards,
Claire McGee
Author: I Believe Therefore I Am