I like to think of perspective (belief) as a game changer. Ok let me explain. How we respond/react is definitely based on how we think about something or our beliefs about it, also known as our automatic thoughts. And to be sure to give credit where credit is due, Aaron Beck is the founding father on this concept with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
*** teaching moment*** CBT in short is a type of mental health treatment that helps identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to and worsen our emotional difficulties in particular with depression and anxiety. Activating event-->Beliefs--> Feelings-->Behaviors
Another little thing I would also throw in the mix, with the importance of perspective and how we respond, includes how we’re doing interpersonally. What are we carrying that creates a barrier to how we respond. Are we feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and unappreciated, unresolved issues, hardship or loss, etc. EVERYTHING comes back to us. We cannot be helpful or conduct healthy relationships, if we have unresolved internal work.
Lastly, my wonderful readers, the power is within you! You can change what you think and believe about something. Your perspective can either encourage rich positive energy, or it can cause you to go to a negative, unproductive mindset. We also have the power to choose how much we allow a feeling to consume us. We can choose to be with a particular feeling for 10 minutes or allow it to marinate and rob us of the potential joy ahead from the remainder of the day. Choose peace. Choose calm. Choose your sanity above all else, because you are no good to anyone else, unless you are taking care of yourself.
With love and admiration for your willingness to grow,
Kelly K
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