Change your viewpoint to change your outlook!

Most people who have met me would say that I have a very cheerful personality and great outlook to life. I would agree with that. Yet, once in a while, I don't have such a great view of the world. Everything just seems so sh**ty, excuse my wording here, but that's the best way to describe it - nothing seems to go your way; you feel monotonous, like the days keep repeating and there is no end; Or, perhaps you came off from a "high", a happy event, but now all seems meaningless as nothing changes due to this event. Well, the lists go on and go. I am sure you are catching my drift. Well, such a day happened this week, specifically yesterday. I wasn't feeling so great at work and at home. My son refused to accompany me to a college expo that evening. The expo is put together by the City of Phoenix library to benefit all who are looking to attend college. I told myself that it was alright and he probably needed the time to do his own things, especially since this was his Junior year in high school and he carried a heavy load of AP courses. The boy needed time for himself and going to a college expo was furthest from him mind, even though I thought it would benefit him and even though we talked about for a few weeks now since I registered him for the event. So, I left for the event since I already registered, feeling not so great.

Well, you can imagine what happened next. I ended up talking to quite a number of people who provided helpful information regarding college applications, scholarships, etc. In particular, I spoke with Meryl, the librarian, who introduced me to a college program called GRIT that provides college guidance beyond what his high school offered. We spoke in length and she answered a lot of my questions. Needless to say, I left the event feeling much better and excited to have all these information that I could share with my son.

I realized then that I no longer had that awful feeling that had lingered throughout my day but now I am excited for the future. I also realized that it was due to my change of environment, which resulted in my change of viewpoint. If I had stayed home yesterday evening, I would have missed out on these conversations and the information I received. Thinking more on the situation, I realized that this was very similar to the time when I was myself in high school and was an awkward teenager. I used to bury myself in a book, reading at all hours, finishing homework and chores fast just so I can go back to reading. At some point, I decided to change the narratives and instead of reading about other people's lives, I chose to experience life myself. That turned me from an introvert to the extrovert you meet today.

So, this weekend, go outside, do something that takes you out of your comfort zone, do something differently than what you have done in the past. Change things up a bit and come back and tell me about it. I would love to know and hope this gives you more positive outlook to life.

Have a great weekend, all!

Mindy