Perspective Can Change Your Life
Eight Quotes to Create Change
“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” — Wayne Dyer
Everyone looks at life through their own lens. Because everyone is unique, some filter the world in black and white, shades of gray, or beautiful technicolor. An example of such perspective. I talked with a friend about accomplishments, and they reflected on their biggest accomplishment during the pandemic that they kept living. Living in the sense that they pursued and attained the goals they set out to accomplish before COVID. This is no small feat considering how many of us had to postpone or cancel many of our plans over the last twelve plus months. I asked what contributed to your successes? Their reply was simple yet profound, “I chose to change my perspective. I wasn’t going to sit in the discontent.” This quote and the following quotes can help shift thought and can change lives if applied.
“Education isn’t something you can finish.” — Isaac Asimov
If you’re reading this post, then I have to believe you either want to change or are open to changing your perspective. Either way, that’s what having a growth mindset is all about. Education is a life-long journey. Every day is an opportunity to shape and change your life. Don’t take for granted a day because they all count, and the accumulation is your life.
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” — Marcus Aurelius
My father has always said, “There are infinite opinions and very few facts.” Marcus Aurelius takes it one step further. There’s no such thing as facts. All are jaded by our perspective. This concept is biting. When you really think about the prospect of no truth, this can shatter some people’s identity. But it can also create an identity worth living for.
“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” — Bill Gates
We’ve heard that failure is the best teacher. Bill Gates is saying the same thing by presenting the opposing type. Failure, when taken as lessons, can be the most powerful learning tool in your arsenal. However, if you take every failure to heart, it can be debilitating.
“I do not exist to impress the world. I exist to live my life in a way that will make me happy.” — Richard Bach
Human beings are social creatures, but we tend to place too much value on the social circles we currently exist in. Live your life to the fullest in ways that you want to, not the opinions of others. We have one life to live, don’t allow friends and family to live through you.
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” — Gandhi
Will and determination play a huge role in success. Yes, strength and intelligence play roles, but we give those traits far more credit than they deserve. Those that continue to push forward and fight to live the life they’ve dreamed of tend to get there. Too many people see the obstacles or create them in their minds. Gandhi proved that force isn’t as strong as will.
“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend. “ — Henri Bergson
Have you ever reread the same book years later? I’m always amazed at the things I take away or comprehend differently. This quote by Henri Bergson reminds me of that. Also, perspective is all about what your mind is allowing you to see in any given situation. Sometimes we feel so strongly in our perspective we fail to believe that there are alternatives. Keeping an open mind allows you to discover life all over again.
“Just keep in mind: the more we value things outside our control, the less control we have. “ — Epictetus
Focus on the things within your control. This is a lesson in staying sane. Don’t waste your time worrying about the things outside of your locus of concern; it won’t help. Start small, focus on controlling yourself. As you master self-control, expand out to those things you have influence over. But realize that the more focus you put on the extrinsic, the more opportunity for stress and anxiety.
“You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be.” — Marianne Williamson
The first step of changing perspective is to identify with that thought. Appreciation is a step to opening your mind, but we must accept new ideas and surrender to them. This will change your life.
