Framing (and Reframing) your Experiences

 Framing is a description of how your mind captures and perceives your experiences or circumstances on a moment by moment basis. Continuously while you are awake, events are occurring around you and your brain is trying to make sense of them.  Your senses receive various stimuli and your mind builds a picture of this moment.  Up to 90% of that experience is how the mind framed or pictured it, and as little as 10% is objective reality.

 As upwards of 90% of a moment is a matter of perception and framing, that means you have a lot of opportunity to make your present reality (NOW) wonderful, painful, awful, joyful or many other emotions in-between.  What frame of mind you start with is powerful. 

 What is your default tone? Is it positive or negative, awesome or awful, optimistic or pessimistic? You are your own spin doctor and that initial spin taints everything.

 One of the more insightful books on wellness that I have read is by Martin Seligman and it is called ‘Learned Optimism’.  Seligman, backed by substantial research findings, suggests that you can activity learn how to frame (or reframe) your circumstances to view them in a more positive light. 

 Experiment with whatever you are doing at this moment.  How many ways could this moment be captured?  Frame it as many different ways as you can imagine.  Practice reframing your first impressions. Watch your initial reflexes: are they helpful or harmful?  Deliberately, consciously and vocally put a positive spin on your present moment. Find that “silver lining” of your NOW.  Yes, it is raining BUT the plants are pleased.  Yes, X is a difficult person BUT they are in a tough place.   YES BUT…. 

 After a while constructive and affirmative re-framing and framing will become a mindful habit.

Reflection Source: www.Smallercup.org

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