Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.

This quote is a close cousin to, “Nothing means anything until you give it meaning,” but it’s different enough that it deserves its own place on my list.  I particularly like the use of the word “retraining.”

In Business:

Substitute the word “Prosperity” for “Peace” and you have a world-class business quote.  They’re really not that far apart when you think about it.  For a business to be at peace, it needs to be prospering.

There have been many variations on the adage that businesses are either growing or shrinking — there’s no standing still.  I agree.  So growth, even slow and steady, is the mode you always want to be in.

In Life:

I mentioned before that I like the use of the word “retraining.”  I like that it rejects the notion of a “permanent personality,” where you’re locked into a certain way of thinking and there’s nothing you can do about it.

I’m not a big fan of trying to change other people.  But I am a fan of trying to change yourself.  That’s where all meaningful change begins.

One dangerous thing about this quote, though, is that pessimists use it to justify a negative outlook.  Pessimists always think of themselves as “realists.”  I’m sure you’ve heard a pessimist in your life say, “I’m not being negative; I’m just being real.”

Pessimism is a safe, weak choice we primarily use to keep us from taking action.  “Why bother?” the pessimist asks, “It probably wouldn’t work anyway.”

Problem avoided — on to the next gutless choice.

Optimism is risky.  There’s risk of failure, risk of disappointment, risk of not being taken seriously.  To me, however, a life without any risk is not a life worth living.  I’ll choose optimism.

So remember…

Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.

— Wayne Dyer