"We don't see things as they are; we see them as we are." - Anais Nin

I read an article recently, which recounted the words of a mother who claimed to be totally overwhelmed by the turmoil in current world events. Her words were, "There's nothing I can do and the world's spinning out of control!" Her response to world events was fear, which affected what she had the ability to control locally. She disengaged from her home, her children and her circle of influence. Have you also found it challenging to be positive in the midst of an ever-increasingly negative and fearful society?

Our responses to situations and people are largely dictated to by our thought processes. Our thought processes are a by-product of our individual cultures: our upbringing, traditions, experiences, exposure, focuses, and so on. These things create a frame of reference that we view everything through, like a lens. The question today is... what has shaped you? How do you see it?

For example, if you are rigid, you may view anything that is not overly structured as chaotic. An undisciplined outlook will see structure as restrictive. If you have been manipulated, you may be defensive, or a manipulator yourself and if you are judgmental or negative, your view of most situations will be with criticism or negativity.

The inclination to judge people and things and to dismiss what you do not immediately understand can create disadvantages in business and in relationships. Often, you may find yourself at a loss to understand why opportunities do not come your way, or you may be late in responding. Proper management of mental and emotional wealth creates the doors of opportunity that we require for advancement.

How difficult is it to shift from judging to tolerance, from rigidity to flexibility, from dismissal to empathy, from manipulation to respect...from fear to hope? Hope is something that we choose. Stephen Covey, PhD., states that there is a space between stimulus and response where we make our decisions [of how we will respond.] You are responsible for the decision and the response.

Right actions - another success ingredient, are preceded by right thoughts. Your thoughts are like magnets; attracting to themselves after their kind. Positive thoughts breed healthy responses and negative thoughts breed negative responses. Have you ever said, "That will never work for me, because I haven't seen it work for others, so why should I try?" If you do not see things from a hope-filled perspective, then the likelihood of your response/action being positive is low, to non- existent.

Dr. John Maxwell believes "The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure."

What is your view of the state of your achievements; not just in business, but every area of your life? Are you seeing your proverbial ?jar' of life as half-empty versus half-full? Are you determinedly on your way to meeting your objectives, or are you so far back that you?ll never achieve them? If you are in a rut, it very well could be that you are misjudging the reality of a situation or relationship. Does your outlook need a ?checkup?' The importance of putting healthy boundaries around your thoughts to create healthy outcomes cannot be overstated.

The next time that your future looks hopeless, don't despair. It could be your negative outlook and not the true reality that exists. You will be on your way to your place of true wealth [mindset, lifestyle & outcomes] if you practice systematically reviewing and putting healthy boundaries around the ingredients that contribute to your thoughts and actions. You can input success 'ingredients' (what you see, hear and say) and weed out limiting and destructive 'ingredients,' on purpose. Choose a positive outlook today.

To your success!

Lloyda