"Changing your perspective changes your experience."
We all have problems.
I would bet my arm that most of us have heard this at least once, and if you're anything like me you've also said it a time or two. It's true. At some point(s) in life, everyone will face challenges; whether financial, familial, big or small.
What a utopia it would be if we were all problem free. Go ahead and see it with your mind's eye: sunny skies everyday, no world consuming viruses, no overwhelming bills, all of our clothes fitting perfectly without having to step foot in a gym. A perfect world, right? Well sorry to burst your proverbial bubble but a perfect world will never exist... and that's probably a good thing for the sake of the beauty that is evolution. However, there is a way to rid ourselves of plaguing problems!
How do we do that? I'm glad you asked! By changing our language and swapping the word "problem" for "opportunity." Yes, you heard me correctly! This simple practice alone, can change the way that we approach the challenges that we face. For example, instead of saying "I have a weight problem" try saying "I have an opportunity to lose weight and be healthier." Instead of saying "I'm having problems in my relationship" try saying "I have an opportunity to work on my communication skills and grow as a person." You will find with the word swap that you end up having way more opportunities than you do problems. Often, we address problems begrudgingly because we never wanted the problem to begin with and this can lead to even more problems. However, because many of us love a good opportunity, we're more likely to approach it with enthusiasm and optimism which can lead to more opportunities.
The practice of swapping the word "problem" for "opportunity" is formally known as positive reframing- a process by which a person changes their perspective about a situation, person or relationship. The idea is to experience the situation, person, or relationship differently (and more productively) than before.
Personal Story: Shortly after I had my son I was looking for a brand new apartment for us to move into. After searching for a little while, I finally found the perfect place. It had just been built and was suitable for us. When I applied for the apartment, I was denied because I did not meet the credit standards to move in. The denial deflated me and I instantly perceived it as a problem and a barrier to what I desired in life at the time. I felt defeated. After I moped for a little while, I decided to seize the opportunity to work on my credit- something that would do more than help me to qualify for an apartment. I connected with a credit repair specialist who helped me to increase my credit score within weeks. I reapplied to that same apartment complex and received an email from the manager asking if I really thought my credit had increased in such a short amount of time. Yes, she tried me but I digress! Long story short, the next email that I received from her was a "congratulations, you've been approved" email. Had I continued to view the situation as a problem, I likely would've lower my standards and chosen an apartment that I didn't really want to be in. Because I took the opportunity to work on my credit score, it opened up another opportunity for me to reapply for the apartment that I desired and ultimately get it!
I hope that in the spirit of positive reframing by changing our language, you will experience a decrease in problems and see that what you really have is an abundance of opportunities! Be Well!
-Ren