Are we in the worst of times, the best of times, or somewhere in the middle? My hunch is that the answer is different, depending on your point of view, current circumstances and level of optimism. The headlines in the news media are enough to make a person weep. Then we see someone like Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent. What an amazing story!
Learning to let go of things over which you have no control is not easy. We just learned that the buyers of our home have cancelled their purchase agreement, after over a month of waiting for their financing, appraisals, etc. We are all packed and ready to move to our new home, only now we are back to square one. Time to get our house staged once again for showing. The word we've been using around here is "Arrrggghhh!" The sad news is that we have to start over. The good news is that the sellers of our new home are willing to wait until we sell again. The possibility of finding just the right people to purchase our lovely Victorian home is high – we think that all this was "meant to be.'" But right now it's hard to see the silver lining in in our storm cloud!
There is a story of two shoe salesmen sent to scout out possible new business in an emerging country. First salesman e-mails the boss and says "No opportunity here, no one wears shoes." Second salesman e-mails the boss and says "Fantastic opportunity here, no one wears shoes." It's all about perspective, isn't it?
Aiming for optimism in troubling times includes a change in perspective. A time to see the possibility and opportunity in any troubling situation. A time to be grateful for what we do have. A time to spend time with the people we love, and to tell them how much they mean to us. They are the ones who will support us, no matter what happens.
How's your optimism? Mine is on the up-take. My granddaughter just learned to say "hello" on the phone!
Instead of saying "Goodbye" I'll say "Hello!"
Beata Rydeen, Professional Life Coach - Email - Website
RELATED POST