Nothing has any meaning in and of itself…except for the meaning I assign to it. Therefore, I can decide what meaning I want to assign to something, giving me the power to alter my experience of something based on my changed perception of it.
It’s like the great Dr. Wayne Dyer used to say, “when you change the way you look at things….the things you look at change.”
I remember watching an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, it was the one where the doctors were about to give a patient a double arm transplant. The guy was in his hospital bed waiting for surgery, and his wife was standing next to him when the doctors asked her what she was most excited about when her husband will finally have two arms. She responded, “I can’t wait until he can wrap his arms around me and hold me,” and when they asked the husband the same question, he answered….”I can’t wait until I can wipe my own ass.”
That scene had such a profound effect on me. It made me appreciate my body and independence in ways I had never considered before. It’s now become my default thought when I’m having a shitty day, or feeling fat, or too old, or whatever other negative thoughts that are trying to take over my joy. I simply think to myself….”well…at least I can wipe my own ass.”
What area of your life can you find a more positive outlook about? What could you look at differently in your life that would help you feel more grateful and joyful?