It’s important to remember this: when we lack something, we can mistakenly assume that, if we only had that one thing in our life, that everything would instantly be fine.
If we are drowning, we flail in the water and gasp for air. This is our only focus: to survive, to get oxygen into our lungs. That’s extreme, and understandable, of course.
If, however, we lack material things or money or companionship or perfect health, we must guard against the same reaction: buying a new jacket or receiving a windfall of money or falling in love or getting rid of that damn flu bug will not automatically make everything okay.
You are still you, and you have brought yourself into this new situation: newly clothed, newly rich, newly in love, or healthy again.
Maintaining perspective will do a few things: it will provide you patience as you work to change or maintain your financial situation (working more or sticking with a budget) or whatever lack or difficulty you face; it will provide balance as you achieve your goals or suffer setbacks; and it will be a ‘chill pill’ when you contemplate buying something in order to feel better.
An old and wise politician once remarked that things are rarely as bad–or as good–as they appear to be. Words to remember.
Persevere. Shrug at your challenges. Spare with success, don’t embrace it. Laugh at luck and misfortune alike. Find your center and hold it.
- BGT