What we focus on and how we make sense of it has a lot to do with our values. We are constantly evaluating our experience – that is comparing it to our values – on the basis of our learning through life (i.e. that’s the right or wrong way to hold a fork) and our physical embodiment (i.e. hot things aren’t nice to touch or a cool breeze is pleasant on a warm day). This process is a necessary one for us to be able to navigate the world effectively however sometimes certain judgements get a bit too crystallised leading us to interpret the world in an overly limiting way.
Action: It’s typically helpful to be aware of both the potential benefits as well as costs of any given thing as this awareness can assist in finding better ways to overcome the challenges as well as room to appreciate the benefits. It can also be helpful to reflect on the values that we are basing our judgement upon: sometimes they may be based on incorrect assumptions, sometimes they may have been right in the past, but circumstances have changed, and, of course, sometimes they may be a great fit for today, and can be embraced consciously.