Life is all about perspective. If we view it from a negative lense we tend to have a negative outlook. Most of my life I have lived in a small town a simpler lifestyle playing outdoors and having a small community. At some point my life path crossed with various invidividuals in rodeo and that became my world in high school. I was the only one that had a car at the time so I was elected to take my buddies to bull riding practice. Even in my teenage years I was mistified by why people do the things they do and what was it about this dangerous sport that had these folks returning.
I was inducted the night they had me watch the Lane Frost movie (and spoilers it doesn't end well). As the credits rolled in I was devestated and the story itself is sad but they all know the ending can be negative and yet they show up for the thrill and the glory. Why? Because, their perspective was that it isn't a matter of if they get hurt but when they are going to get hurt. And they did get hurt. One of them ended up in a boot because he broke all the bones in his foot, and another cannot sneak up on anyone because his ankle creaks. Honestly speaking I don't think they would take it back if they could.
While working in the schools we taught kids to have a growth mindset. This means understanding that mybe they cannot do something YET but that if they keep trying they can reach their goals. The same goes for adult; we acknowledge the feelings that we are experiencing and then identify how we can problem solve it or build on that emotion. The truth is extremes are never a positive way to look at life it tends to work in absolutes and can impact us negatively. So the best perspective is a balanced perspective where we can see whats happening in the present and hope for the future.
Sometimes our trauma can make us hypervigiliant and fearful of dreaming. This is called foreboding joy. We are essentially saying that history has taught us that asking for good things or hoping will only dissappoint us so we avoid being too happy. Life is tough though and things are not always pleasant but we can create the type of life that can withstand the toughest of storms.
I am a nerd and recently watched the Twisters movie and it really drove the mental health idea that life is all about perspective and the lense we see it through. In the movie there is a character that is witty and is trying to have an innovative view on how to deconstruct twisters but she lost her partner and friend in the first experiment. She then becomes fearful of going anywhere near another storm. She is talked into going home for a week and meets the tornado wrangler who fearlessly goes into the storm.
Their perspectives are different. Together though they find the perfect balance. They work together and save the day.
Life is not that easy but the point is that life can be have storms and if we look at it with a balanced perspective we can grow and stabalized our mental health. If you don't know where to start and you are struggling with anxiety and depression reach out to a therapist so that together with you, yall can find a Better Tomorrow.
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