PEBBLE
You can’t choose your history, but you can choose the story you tell about it…
Pull the teachable moment out of it and share with others.
~James Clear, shared by Pablo in Ft. Myers, FL via 3-2-1
BOULDER
Happiness is not about what happens to you, but how you choose to respond to what happens.
That’s why it’s called happiness not happenness…though it could be called hope-ness. You can always leave room for hope that all has happened for good cause.
~Karen Salmansohn, shared by Kristin in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
PONDER
The other morning on a walk I was catching up on the 10% Happier Podcast and enjoyed a great conversation Dan Harris had with writer Maria Semple. At one point they were talking about cognitive reframing—the ability to shift our perspective about an event or situation, usually from a more negative or unhelpful view to one that’s more positive or more useful.
There are plenty of everyday sayings that hint at the power of the reframe:
“When one door closes, another opens” shifts the focus from loss to possibility.
“Every setback is a setup for a comeback” helps us turn failure into preparation for future success.
“Bloom where you are planted” invites us to identify opportunities in a situation we didn’t necessarily choose.
I could mention a few more, but some of you might be rolling your eyes because of the cheesiness factor, or the potential oversimplification of these sayings. And it’s true: too much positivity becomes toxic positivity. But even this can be reframed! A good recipe depends on the right mix—too much sweetness can ruin a cookie just as much as not enough.
When stuff happens beyond my control, reframes provide a lift:
If I notice a cold coming on a few days before a big speech, I’m bummed AND I can see it as a reminder that I don’t need to feel 100% to show up fully.
If a talk doesn’t go as planned, I hope for better luck next time around AND I see it as a chance to learn and grow.
If something poopy is unfolding in your life right now, see if you can acknowledge how stinky it is and then see if there might also be a way to turn it into fertilizer.
Peace,
Paul
P.S. If you happen to know of a conference planning team seeking a dynamic keynote speaker, or a workplace that could use an infusion of energy and ideas, please invite them to take a peek here. Thanks!