We often think reality just is exactly like we think it is. But it’s not. In fact, at any given time, you’re just operating on an interpretation of reality – that construction is called our mental map.
Sure, we can agree on the basics, the external observable stuff around us. But those things to matter to us so much. The deeper interpretation of what’s going on, the sensation, the mood, what’s going on in a general sense in life – in those things, our views can vary dramatically. Not only the views from one person to another, but even our own views, from one moment to another. The way we situate ourselves, the way we perceive ourselves in life, in the sense of where we stand, what we’re feeling, what the possible ways forward are – this is called our mental map.
And since this mental map is created by us, we have the power to adjust it. Our mental map can make us horribly sad and hopeless, or it can fill us with joy and enthusiasm – without any change to the physical observable facts in our life.
This is one of the key points in the 3T Path – it’s all about the mind (see my video here about this). You have more power than you can probably imagine to adjust your life experience, by adjusting your mind, your mental map of where you stand in life, and how you interpret the events in your life.
The first step is to become aware of this reality, aware that you can change your outlook on life. The second step is to see what there is of good in life by actively seeking out the positive. Our brains often get trained to see only the negative, so we should make a special effort to see the positive. It’s there, you just have to look for it. One way to do this is to cultivate gratitude (see here a great trick for this). The other way is to seek out wisdom. See how other people have dealt with adversity and seen the good in life. Lastly, there is spirituality. Once you understand your spiritual dimension and the presence of God, your mental map will always have a bright path forward, no matter what you’re going through.
In this way, you can reinterpret life to increase your positivity and wellbeing by adjusting your mental map.
Check out my video on the subject here.