3 Phrases to Change Your Perspective
Simple quotes to encourage you to build a better life
I’m not a big one for inspirational quotes. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy reading and hearing words of encouragement, I just don’t remember specific quotes or who they are attributed to.
Even so, there are three particular phrases that have shaped how I live my life and who I am today. Sometimes these phrases run through my head like a mantra, driving me on or providing comfort during dark times.
Other times they are simply words that I endeavor to live by. In doing so, I hope to create a happier life, with more fulfilling relationships and beautiful experiences. So, without further ado, here are the three phrases that have helped me get to where I am today.
“This too shall pass.”
Most often this quote runs through my head as “Nothing lasts forever”. It began decades ago when my Mum walked out on my Dad. That was a pretty tough time for me and my siblings; the pain was hot and sharp. Some days were difficult to get through, with the lump of abandonment sitting in my throat and chest. A pain that seemed impossible to shift.
Eventually, it lessened and became more bearable. “Nothing lasts forever” reminded me that the pain of being abandoned is impermanent — like my parents’ relationship. It helped me to appreciate the transience of life — the relationships we enjoy, the uncomfortable experiences, the pain of reaching for something more, the pride of achieving our goals or the excitement of a celebration.
All of these experiences and feelings pass. When they do, they leave space for something new and give us the opportunity to grow and become more of who we are.
That’s something to be grateful for.
Abraham Lincoln used the quote in one of his presidential speeches. However, these particular words can be traced back to a tale about one of Persia’s kings. The story goes that the King charged his wise men with inventing a sentence that would remain true and appropriate in all circumstances. “This too shall pass” is what they came up with.
Marilyn Monroe expanded on it, adding her own flavor and style:
“Nothing lasts forever, so live it up, drink it down, laugh it off, avoid the drama, take chances and never have regrets; because at one point everything you did was exactly what you wanted.”
— Marilyn Monroe
While I like her twist on the phrase, as a simple to remember, encouraging quote, “nothing lasts forever” has given me relief in dark times, tempered my ego in times of triumph, and encouraged me to keep moving forward when things got tough.
“Just do it.”
Again, I’ve manipulated this for my own use. As much as I like the “jump right in” attitude of Nike’s slogan, I prefer “I can do this”. At multiple times through my life, I have run those words through my mind to help me overcome a particular obstacle — from getting up a hill on my bike to giving birth to each of my boys.
Reminding yourself that you are competent, strong and capable can give you the strength you need to push through barriers.
A memory of getting back on a bike to cycle to the train station always comes to mind when I remember this phrase. I’m not a big lover of bicycles. I’ve had my fair share of scrapes, bruises, and on one occasion, stitches. But, as a mode of transport, it does the job. When I first returned to cycling, it was because we didn’t want a car. I had little confidence and even less fitness. Getting up even the smallest of slopes had me puffing.
Rather than get off and push, I’d repeat “I can do this” with each push of the pedal. If I made it up one incline and pushed my bike up the next, it was still a triumph. Within a few weeks, I was cycling up hills with more ease and down with more confidence. Cycling became my primary mode of transport because I dared to believe in myself and reaffirm my ability by telling myself I could.
Our self-talk has a huge impact on the challenges we attempt and how long we stick at new endeavors. Instead of giving in when life becomes difficult, try telling yourself that you can do it. It may surprise you how well this works.
Self-belief is supported with positive self-talk. If you believe in yourself, more than half the battle of achieving your goal is already won. So go on, you can do it!
“What we think, we become.”
Buddha said this and today’s neuroscientists are proving it to be true. Where we direct our thoughts dictates the connections our brain will strengthen and the pathways that will wither. Consciously choosing what we think has a massive impact on how we behave, the challenges we accept and those we abandon.
Our focus has the power to change our brains, our perspective on life, and with that, our reality. Because of this, Buddha’s uttering of “What we think, we become” has prompted me to look for the silver lining in every cloud, to focus on the wanted and pay less attention to (although not ignore) the unwanted.
This results in me becoming more focused on where I want to go in life and developing the strengths, knowledge and attitude needed to get there. It may not happen immediately, in fact, it probably won’t. However, developing healthy thoughts, a positive outlook and recognizing when we are being less than helpful to our own aims will most certainly result in becoming a healthier and happier person over time.
What you think today is where you will be tomorrow, so choose your thoughts wisely; consciously direct your reality.
Final words
While I may not be a collector of inspirational quotes, I am a collector of positive ways to think. “Nothing lasts forever” is a comfort to me — the changeability of life is what gives it flavor and spice.
“I can do this” reminds me that I am in charge of who I am and what I can accomplish. And Buddha’s words show me that I get to choose how I evolve as a person simply by choosing my thoughts.
These three quotes and phrases have gotten me this far in life, and I am sure they’ll help me carry on moving in the direction of happy fulfillment.
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