According to the National Science Foundation, 80% of our thoughts are negative.
This can put us in a negative mindset, focusing on all the things that can go wrong. Focusing on the negative, whether that be at work or in our personal lives, can trigger a negative thought spiral. These negative thoughts have the potential to have tangible unwelcome effects on our lives.
But what if we were to focus on all the things that can go right instead? For me, this starts by defining my privilege. Gratitude means different things to different people. One of the more significant memories of my life was when we moved to the United States from Ukraine. My mother for a job as a waitress at a restaurant in LA. She had been a doctor back home but essentially had to start over in a new country. I remember her picking me up from school and walking me to the restaurant. I ate frozen yogurt in the back room while watching her work. It was hard work, long hours. She struggled with the language.
But she was full of hope, promise. This taught me a new definition of privilege.
What if defining our privilege means being grateful for things we already have? What if we have to seek fulfillment actively? Would we gain the power to change the trajectory of our thoughts? Would our positive thoughts translate to courageous action?
How do you define your privilege?
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