I keep several books going at the same time. Right now, I am reading four books — yes, my brain is very ADHD. The one I pick up first thing before I work out is Time Warrior by Steve Chandler. Chandler, a motivational speaker, author and life coach, claims the book will teach you” how to defeat procrastination, people‑pleasing, self-doubt, over ‑commitment, broken promises and chaos.” Don’t know about you, but I’ve experienced a few of those in my life. So I’m reading the book — one short chapter at a time.
This morning’s chapter, Chapter 61, spoke to me. It’s titled, “Learning to welcome everything.” OK, I thought. I’m not so sure about this, but I’ll keep reading.
First sentence, “Imagine a life in which you are welcoming every circumstance.”
My first thought was, “Bull$#*^.” It was early and I was skeptical.
Chandler goes on to mention Lindsay Brady’s book on hypnosis, As the Pendulum Swings” and how it explains of perception as well as anything he has read. Brady, after working over 20,000 clients, discovered that perception is what really drives human behavior. That “we behave based on how we perceive things — not based on how things really ‘are.'”
OK, I can see that.
That falls into my belief that it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you react to it.
Sure, you’re on a plane that’s crashing, your perception is pretty accurate. But think about all the “bad” things in your life that are “terrible” but really aren’t. I’ll give an example how my perception changed yesterday. How the “bad” things quickly didn’t seem so bad.
Amy and I got hit with some pretty big bills. I was grumpy about it. I’m worried about my job, so therefore, money worries me (unless you’re Bill Gates, it probably worries you, too.). I had to go to the bank to put some money into our family account. I was grumpy as hell as the teller was figuring out my business deposit. I’m surprised I didn’t have black steam coming out of my ears. Then I checked my e-mail on my phone.
A good man that I know, a father and pillar of his community, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
I looked at my bank deposit slip and my attitude totally changed. My bad mood melted like sugar in hot tea. I have the money to pay the bills. I have the talent to make more money to cover future bills. I have my health to keep working. I don’t have cancer (and believe, I know what it’s like to have it.). I, unlike the man I respect, don’t have a brain tumor.
My attitude changed on immediately. I perceived the world in a different way.
Chapter 61 spoke to me this morning. I looked around after reading it and realized that my house was nicer. Amy was prettier as she slept. My children were more amazing. My job is better. Things are what they are. It’s up to me to “see them” as challenges and not problems. It’s up to me to make the most of them. It’s time for an attitude adjustment.
Because it’s not what happens to me. It’s how I react to them.
To quote former Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, it is about perception.
What in your life can be better by a change in perception?
Order Time Warrior by Steve Chandler here.
Thanks for this post. Going to get this book ASAP!!
I had something similar happen to me the other day that still makes me know that I should be grateful for what I have.
Funny you should write this. My word for 2013 has been “Perspective”, trying to have God’s perspective about my value, my purpose, and my circumstances. I want to see the big picture and not get bogged down in the petty. Thanks for the reminder.
One of my (many) faults is that I begin to freak out about “how much work I have to do.” That’s a major perception thing. And one I’m working on.
This reminds me of a chapter in the book “The Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom. She and her sister are in a German concentration camp and their barracks is filled with fleas. They decide to thank God even for the fleas, not knowing why. Turns out the guards wouldn’t come into that particular building because of the fleas. They were able to have religious services there and no where else. God honors a grateful heart.