Life Is All About Perspective: You’ll Find What You’re Looking For
What we focus on shapes how we experience life. If we look for problems, we’ll find them. But if we search for the good, even during hard times, life begins to look very different. This skill didn’t come naturally to me, and even now, it doesn’t always. It’s not easy to do but once you realise that choosing not to see things from a positive angle only holds you back, daily life starts to feel a bit easier to handle.
The great Nelson Mandela is a perfect example of this as he endured 27 years in a South-African prison and though his circumstances were harsh, he chose to focus on what he could control his mindset and his vision for a united South Africa. Instead of becoming bitter, he saw his time in prison as preparation, a means to strengthen his resolve and commitment to peace.
This perspective shift allowed him to emerge from prison ready to lead his nation and ultimately, he became South Africa’s first Black president. Mandela’s focus on hope and reconciliation over resentment made him a global icon of resilience and transformation.
Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was a South African freedom fighter and one of the longest held political prisoners in the world. He led the fight to abolish Apartheid and was elected President in the first multi-racial election in 1994.
“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters”
Shifting Your Perspective
Gratitude can help reframe your outlook, allowing you to see value in the present moment. Imagine losing everything you have today your health, home or loved ones. This question can help you appreciate the things you often take for granted. Small things like a comfortable home, a warm meal or a good friend become sources of joy when viewed through the lens of gratitude.
Our minds are naturally wired to see the negatives, a survival mechanism that helps us avoid danger. But studies show we can train ourselves to see the positives too. After a few weeks of practicing gratitude, many people report that they naturally start to focus on what’s going well rather than what’s going wrong
My Challenge to You
This week, when faced with a setback, pause and shift your perspective. Ask yourself, What’s one positive I can see in this situation?
You might find that a small change in your viewpoint can unlock resilience, appreciation and even unexpected opportunities.
Stay Resilient,
Ro