A quick look at these zebras and it can be seen that there are more zebras. One can expect to see zebras when looking at this picture. Think for a moment. Does that mean there are only ever zebras in pictures? Could there possibly be more?
There was a man, married for many years to the same woman. One day while leaving for work, he opened the door and banged his head against the top of the door frame leading out of his house. It left a bruise. His wife asked him about it. He said it was nothing.
The next day, as he was about to leave for work, he paused and looked at the top of the door. He figured, why not, and on purpose, banged his head against the top of the door frame. This went on for many weeks.
His wife began to notice a big bruise forming on the top of his forehead. When asking about it, the man replied that he was used to banging his head on top of the door frame and it was something he expected to be done every day as he left for work. His wife stomped her feet in frustration and asked him what on earth he was thinking.
The next day before the man went to work, she grabbed him by his arms and took him to the door and opened it. She told him to stop right in front of the door and open it. As he did this, he was getting ready to bang his head on the top of the door frame. His wife grabbed him and told him to stop. She gently pushed down on his arms and told him to duck. As he did so, she gently pushed him through the door, and he did so without banging his head.
The man was confused, he didn’t know quite what to do. He felt the urge to go back inside the house and bang his head against the door frame. His wife told him to go to work and just crouch down a little before he left for work each day.
Over time, the man did this. The bruise began to leave his forehead. He had been freed from his head banging. He was truly thankful to his wife for her support and helping him open his eyes and see the foolishness of his ways.
We all have a collection of experiences in our lives to base reality on.
Like the zebras which are all the same, or the foolish man who thought banging his head was a necessary part of life, there are thoughts and ideas we have about life which lead us to various conclusions.
Perhaps you believe you are stuck in your current job, cannot eat healthily, cannot lose weight, will never have good friends, or get married, or succeed, or any number of things. Take a step back and look at your thoughts and what they are leading you to do. I can promise you that your thoughts are going to be what you end up doing.
Feel trapped by debt? Then you are going to have it. Feel like your job is horrible and you can’t get out of it? That is what will happen. Feel overweight and out of shape, and cannot stop thinking about it and your cravings for junk food? That is what will happen. You will eat unhealthy foods and wallow in your own self pity.
Take time to seek after more
Believe it or not, you can break outside the dangerous realms of constriction that hinder positive growth and development. It’s not a simple process. But it first begins with taking a step back and saying, “Hey, wait a minute, things don’t have to be this way. I can start making a change. And that change starts with me.” Take the time and positively reinforce yourself. Seek after productive and uplifting things.
I love to eat fruits and vegetables. I love spinach and salmon. Apples, organges, and walnuts are my friend. I love to run and play basketball. I enjoy being positive and helping other people. It doesn’t mean life is easy or there aren’t obstacles. But I know that a proper mindset will steer me in the right direction.
I know with a little effort and faith, you can break the mold of monotony and constriction that can sometimes permeate life. Start with your thoughts and truly examine your beliefs. Take time to step back and look at your thoughts and actions each day. I know you can do it!
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