Are your opinions shaping your life the way you want it?

Are your opinions shaping your life the way you want it?

Are you making your day better or worse by what you’re thinking?

We judge things all the time.

It’s part of our nature. It’s how we assess danger - does this person fit into my idea of a safe person? Would I like to know a person who wears their hair like that? Will reading that book help me in my life?

All day long - judgy judgy judgy!

But how we judge other things or people makes much more impression on us than on the thing we're judging.

You’re kidding! I don’t judge …

Ok - let’s have a look. What were the last three things you made a judgment on?

The weather? "It's a miserable day today.”

That person sitting opposite you on the bus? “What an awful coat she's wearing."

The amount of work you have to do today? “I’ll never get through all of this - it's a burden!”

It’s SO much easier to judge negatively than positively!

Perhaps it’s because it makes us feel superior to the other person. OR perha-a-a-ps it validates our feeling of being a victim? That everything happens to us and we are helpless?

We can batten down the mental hatches, snuggle in on ourselves, feel vindicated - feel “right”.

And just how useful is this?

Go the other way

How about if you change the way you view these things and put a positive spin on your judgments?

Let’s look at the weather question.

Instead of saying, “The weather is miserable,” how about one of these:

“It’s dull now but it’ll brighten up later.”

“The garden will enjoy this rain!”

“Rain before 7, fine by 11.” This is probably an English saying, as our fast-moving weather usually only stays for about 5 hours, and cricket matches start at 11!

“It’s miserable out, so I’ll get plenty done inside today.”

That person in the awful coat?

“She’d look good in a different style of coat. I’m good at design!”

“Perhaps she’s stuck with hand-me-downs.”

“You can’t judge a book by its cover!”

“She has beautiful hair.”

And what about the amount of work you have to do today?

“I’ll work out what’s most important and focus on that.”

“I’m really lucky to have this much work coming in!”

“Who could help me get this rush cleared?”

“I love keeping busy!”

😄 Does any of that make you feel better?

😃 Do any of those alternatives make you feel brighter about your day?

It can be the most casual thought that can colour your feelings: don’t let it!

Comment below if you can think of a way to change one of your judgments today and change your day as a result. I’d love to hear what you unearthed!

And be sure to visit Creativity Central and hear what others are saying …