Perception is not reality – it’s our interpretation of reality.
Traveler: “What kind of weather are we going to have today?”
Shepherd: “The kind of weather I like.”
Traveler: “How do you know it will be the kind of weather you like?”
Shepherd: “Having found out, sir, that I cannot always get what I like, I have learned to like what I get. So I am quite sure we will have the kind of weather I like.”
When you stop fighting reality, you can uncover opportunities in life.
Expectations make us blind, rather than seeing the bright side of life, we keep waiting for the perfect weather. We can’t always get what we want. But we can accept what we get and enjoy it. That’s the power of appreciation.
Acceptance is the first step towards being grateful – to take moments and people – even the weather . Accepting reality as is, doesn’t mean giving up your dreams. There’s a common misconception around the idea of “Acceptance” – learning to love the weather you get is not resignation, but being wise. It doesn’t mean stop loving a sunny day it simply means to embrace the rain too.
Life doesn’t owe us anything. Appreciation means stop taking everything for granted.
The Buddha discussed four things we can feel admiration and appreciation towards:
- The good within yourself
- The good within others
- The blessings of being born human
- The many advantages and opportunities this life offers.
Cultivating an opening to appreciation will increase your awareness of the life around you. You will start observing opportunities that were hidden behind your expectations. Appreciation starts with self-awareness. Look inside. That’s where gratitude begins.
So stop fighting the weather and start discovering new opportunities come rain or come shine.
Peace and Love, Jim
