Our lives can be linked to beautiful journeys where we embark on different adventures to test our strengths. Every day is a mystery; we never fully know what the day holds in store for us. Sometimes, our life will bring us pleasant surprises, othertimes, we will be faced with difficult challenges.
Every day cannot be the same, and this is something that adds flavor to our life. It makes us have novel thoughts and experience different emotions which molds our character and makes us better people in future. Many individuals focus their energy and time on what happened in the past or what will happen in the future. While doing so, we forget about something very important – our present self. We shouldn’t be so invested in contemplating our past or forecasting our future that we forget to work on our character. Because time will keep passing, and different events will occur in our lives. The only thing that will remain constant is the strength of our character, this is the essential meaning of the aforementioned quote:
Adults are obsolete children, and the hell with them. Dr. Seuss
Where Does The Quote Come From?
The quote is attributed to many prominent individuals such as Henry David Thoreau, Albert Jay Nock, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Oliver Wendall Holmes. However, there are no credible sources that suggests that this quote may be attributed to any of them.
That being said, the aforementioned quote first appeared in the book, “Meditations in Wall Street,” published in 1940 by William Morrow and Company. The introduction of the book was written by Albert Jay Nock. When the book was released, the author’s identity was kept anonymous. However, in 1947, the New York Times revealed the author’s true identity, Henry S Haskins.
Who Was Ralph Waldo Emerson?
Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, poet, and philosopher who emphasized individuality, nature, and a connection to God in everything. His thoughts were evident in his essays and lectures throughout the United States. Emerson was a Harvard graduate, and in 1829, he was ordained a Unitarian minister. He became quite famous for his sermons. In 1829, he married Ellen Louisa Tucker.
The only sin which we never forgive in each other is the difference of opinion. Ralph Waldo Emerson: Society and Solitude
Emerson wrote his essays in the form of lectures first. After that, he revised them and then forwarded them for printing. His first 2 essay collections, Essays: First Series, published in 1841, and Essays: Second Series, published in 1844, indicate his thinking and beliefs about the philosophy of freedom and individuality. Emerson also stressed humility and its effects on our lives. According to him, being humble isn’t a sign of weakness; instead, it’s a strength, and many successful people find it hard to demonstrate.
A great man is always willing to be little. Ralph Waldo Emerson
He also talked about God being everywhere and connected to everyone and everything. His famous essays from both collections include Nature, The Poet, Experience, Self Reliance, and Circles. Emerson wrote these essays during a decade, i.e., from the mid-1830s to the mid-1840s. This time is considered the most fertile period of Emerson’s writings.
What Is The Meaning of The Quote?
The aforementioned quote highlights an important message: when we regret our past or get anxious about the future our circumstances and challenging times often make us restless and we spend our time worrying about what will happen next. We fail to understand that whether we sulk over our hard times or stay calm, they will pass just the same. The only thing that matters during those challenging circumstances is our inner strength and the lessons we have gained from our hardships.
Many of us look at our past with regret. We feel upset about making wrong decisions and terrible mistakes in our past. Thinking about it does not bring us anything good; instead, it makes us bitter and lowers our self-esteem. Similarly, a lot of people overthink about what the future holds for them. They worry about how their current situation will influence their destiny.
Instead of tiring ourselves with something beyond our control, we should focus on things that we can change, i.e., our character, mindset, and personality. A positive attitude, healthy habits, and strong virtues help us live better and more fulfilled lives. Our thoughts are powerful; they significantly affect how we view different situations in our life. Fostering optimistic thoughts helps us cope in adverse times and think of a solutions. On the other hand, being a pessimist makes our life miserable, as we always think about the worse rather than staying hopeful.
You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.Marcus Aurelius
Hence, always train your mind to see the positive side of everything, even when you find yourself in trouble. It will let you to identify your mistakes and figure out how you can rectify them. But more importantly, it will prevent you from making the same errors again. Our thinking shapes our actions, which, consequently, molds our life. A person who constantly thinks that their problems are endless and the future is dark will not have enough encouragement to solve their issues. As a result, they will always feel trapped by persistent difficulties in their life.
How To Nurture a Positive Mindset?
Having a positive mindset helps us overcome our problems, trust people around us, and be more hopeful in every situation of our life. Optimistic people are comparatively happier, braver, and more successful than pessimists. They train their mind to notice the good side of everything rather than worrying about difficulties.
Cultivating a positive mindset is not complex. However, it requires sincere dedication and consistency. You can not change your mindset overnight; it requires continuous effort to become and stay positive for the rest of your lives.
1. Focus on the Good Things In Your Life
Negative thoughts stem in our minds when we compare our lives with others. Focusing on what others have deprives us of acknowledging the good things in our life. Instead of comparing your life with your friends and others, be mindful of what you already have. Develop a habit of counting your blessings every day. Doing so will make your mind stop comparing and be content with what you have.
When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself, ‘Oh yes – I already have everything that I really need.’ Dalai Lama
2. Be Grateful for What You Have
Another habit that can help you transform your mindset is practicing gratitude. Being grateful reminds us that our lives are much better than many. For instance, when we thank the Lord for our good health, we are reminded about plenty of people fighting different ailments. Gratitude also makes us humble and prevents us from being boastful, which helps cultivate positive thoughts and feelings.
Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. Aesop
3. Distance Yourself From the Negativity
The most essential step in developing positive traits and thoughts is to remove the people or things that do not bring out the best in you. For instance, if you are friends with people who gossip or have a tendency to always complain, you will subconsciously adopt their habits.
Be mindful of who you surround yourself with, as these individuals strongly influence your personality. If you want to be kinder, humbler, and overall a good person, hang around with this type of people. You will soon become like them by observing their good traits, positive thinking, and humility.