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
