How Can I Evolve From This?

When an event happens to us, we tend to label it good or bad.  I.e. a relationship ended, a new job, financial trouble, health issue, etc.  Based on how we label something, we will experience emotions and take actions accordingly.  

Different emotions will lead to correspondingly different actions.  Different actions will lead to a different life.  The quality of your life will be determined by the quality of your thinking and your actions.  

If we were to label a relationship breakup bad, then we might take actions to prevent us from getting into the same situation again or might take it out on the next person we meet.  

Instead of labelling something good or bad, we can ask: how can I evolve from this?  This isn’t a “always think positive” kind of question.  We still want to acknowledge if something didn’t go as we planned. I.e. getting sick, laid off, etc.  However, we also want to examine what else we can learn and grow from our experience.

I had a patient who was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Her life before breast cancer was as a lawyer who worked 80 hours a week, rarely saw her family and was always busy doing something.  Due to her diagnosis, she ended up slowing down, changing the field of her law practice into something she was passionate about and spending more time with her family and friends that were important to her.

On the other side of her diagnosis, she often said that her breast cancer was a turning point in her life.  She evolved and learned from her experience and in the end, evolved through the life challenge.  She says she’s never had a better outlook on her life than now and she no longer does things out of obligation but because she wants to.  That is a life well lived!

Ask yourself: how can I evolve from this situation?  

Need guidance?  613-761-1600

​