Why, for some people, is it so hard to believe that "anything is possible"? What is it that makes a pessimist believe everything is hard, difficult and impossible to do? What is it that makes the pessimist so negative and what is it that makes it so hard to change those beliefs?

We all see things thru a lens. Each of us has different filters on our lens. Filters make us see things differently. We all have a different perspective. Maybe somewhere down the line, in a past life, we were taught that nothing is possible and it's all out of our reach so why even try? Being a pessimist is a learned response and as a learned response we can unlearn it.

Here, let me introduce you to ...

as it is, not as you or others hope it will be."

- Marilyn vos Savant

Perspective is the most important ingredient in forming judgments about anything. Perspective. From something as simple as why parents don't allow their children to stay out until 3 in the morning to something as complex as "Peace in the Middle East." Everyone has their own point of view.

I'd like to give you something. Something you can use for the rest of your life. Something you can pass on to your family and friends.

Hold out your hand, palm up. Now, imagine, a six inch man standing in the palm of your hand. Because of what we are about to do to this little man let's say he is made of rubber, like Gumby.

Now, break him apart at mid torso. (Just pretend, of course.) So, on your hand you should have a pair of legs with a torso attached. On top of the torso place a large eye. Yes, a large eye. Just one. In your palm up hand you should see a pair of legs with an eye on top.

This is The Chinese Eye. This little pair of legs with an eye on top is called a pictograph. The Chinese use pictographs(they have thousands of them!) to represent words. This pictograph is a metaphor for the word "seeing."

- Marilyn vos Savant

The Chinese Eye is able to "walk around things," viewing them from all angles, or, from all perspectives: above, below, left, right, close-up and far away. The Chinese Eye, you see, is "free to see" from any perspective, not just from the front.

The Chinese know that people who use fixed vision become inflexible and intolerant thinkers. The Chinese use the Chinese Eye when evaluating everything from ideas, concepts, and products to others' opinions, reactions and responses.

Keep The Chinese Eye with you at all times.

Before reacting, making an evaluation, a judgment, or a critique, stop and use The Chinese Eye.

How does a person that finds problems with everything and everyone change? How do they change? Well, if they don't want to change they won't. But to change they must persuade themselves to change, they MUST influence their own mind.

If we as human beings are going to think and store thoughts why not think and store positive thoughts? Is it more difficult to store positive thoughts than negative thoughts?

They say when you frown you use more muscles than when you smile. It takes more effort to frown. Maybe it's the same with finding the bad side to ideas, things, people. Maybe it's the people you hang around with. Maybe, since they are miserable and always complaining, that's what seems normal to you. It may be easier to complain than to find solutions.

Finding solutions takes effort. Finding solutions requires thought. When finding solutions you will end up with something, a finished product, a good idea, a life changing event. Complaining doesn't amount to an idea, a product or a life changing event. Complaining does not bring about change. Perhaps it IS easier to complain.

Next time you are presented with a task, use The Chinese Eye. Use perspective.