How one explains rejection and defeat to themselves is very critical. Pessimists interpret them as a confirmation of their own failings and lack of worth, while optimists do not see them as permanent and do not let them affect their sense of self-worth. It is not just a matter how people are but rather how people have learned to interpret their experience. Optimism can be learned. In every aspect of life, optimists do better than pessimists including how well their immune systems function.

When a self-defeating thought arises such as; I am worthless and this latest setback just confirms it. That is when one can consciously substitute something like, this setback is just something that happened; I will get through it, because I am capable and resilient. The reason why this works is because the mind can not hold two opposing thoughts at the same time, and the impact of a negative thought on feelings can be canceled by thinking a positive thought. As you practice the substitution of POSITIVE THINKING for NEGATIVE THINKING, it’ll  gradually become the dominant habit. 

Epictetus said, “the thing that upsets people is not what happens but what they think it means.” WE HAVE A CHOICE AS TO HOW WE INTERPRET OUR EXPERIENCE, AS TO WHAT MEANING WE ASSIGN TO IT.

TAKE CARE, STAY WELL, STAY HEALTHY. HAVE FAITH. THANK YOU. 

Categories: Philosophical Perspective

ron winnegrad

Ron Winnegrad has been a Perfumer and teacher for 46 years. As a perfumer, Ron has been able to express the world he sees through a rainbow of olfactive and emotive visions. As a teacher, Ron has helped others to see fragrance through his own multi sensorial lens.