How to change your perspective?

I suppose I might need to sketch out 😁

Sam Hayes said:I suppose I might need to sketch out 😁

Go ahead and draw it if you want—you could map out that specific moment where the inspiration hit, right before things turned into pure reflection. Though, honestly, I'm not entirely sure where that reflection was actually headed either...

Feeling a little cooled off? Even if you're down at the beach where it's warm, you still get that nice breeze. What more could you possibly need???

And perhaps I should consider shifting my perspective... though, honestly, how does one actually go about changing their perception?

Sometimes it feels like life just doesn't have much of a point, and like there's nothing but negativity surrounding us... though, I suppose maybe one should just try to shift their perception. But how does one actually change their (spiritual) perception? I guess there are various techniques out there. Some people find enlightenment by reading Zen parables or perhaps visiting Sai baba. Meditation might help quite a bit with shifting your perspective and reaching higher states of consciousness. There are also rituals or prayers that can be used to call upon a higher awareness—which could include something as simple as attending a Catholic Mass at a local church, or for some, it might even involve an immediate, mystical, initiatory experience that alters one's perception and level of consciousness.

Oh look, I’ve started another thread of my own 🙂
I suppose it all comes down to perception—I mean, when I’m in a good headspace, I feel like I can conquer anything, spreading positivity and just naturally drawing people toward me... but then, when my mood dips and I fall into that dark hole, everything feels bleak and hopeless, like there's simply no way out... there's just no balance... I have to admit, these emotional swings are getting a bit exhausting... I spend so much time reading stories—instructional ones, self-help tales, I just love them—but they rarely seem to stick... I might feel a sense of peace in the exact moment I'm reading them, but as soon as I put the book down, I slide right back into my old ways, just total chaos 🙂
And it’s interesting how this sense of rebellion rises up inside me every single time I realize I've done something wrong, yet at the same time, I feel like I could finally find some peace if I were forced to completely overhaul my entire life path... though, honestly, the idea of diving into such a massive change scares me a little bit...
Maybe this sounds more like something you'd discuss with a therapist, but it isn't really about that—it's more about being right here, in the thick of it...

I suppose we could look at all these various states as being tied to specific energies. Most people assume it’s strictly a matter of chemistry, so they turn to alcohol, prescription pills, or even harder substances, thinking they can just force themselves to be happy or upbeat through willpower. But I think that’s a mistake. You end up numbing your brain's receptors, which means you eventually need larger and larger doses of whatever substance is boosting your serotonin or dopamine levels. Plus, by doing that, you’re essentially destroying the chemical foundation required for motivation—which really ought to trigger a natural cycle of producing those substances on its own. In fact, forcing this kind of chemical "positive energy" might actually lead to an accumulation of constant, static "negative energy," which is basically what that state of "blackness" you mentioned feels like. After that, you just feel completely spent and exhausted. I guess that isn't such a huge issue when you're young because you can recharge your batteries quite easily, but once you pass 40, things get pretty difficult, and some of the most persistent users don't even make it to fifty. If you focus on generating positive energy naturally, your serotonin and dopamine will adjust themselves through homeostasis, so there isn't any excessive depletion or receptor overstimulation, and your thoughts tend to stay clearer and more fluid. This seems particularly important because people can get high off drugs, or even just too much caffeine, for instance, but then they lose their mental clarity; their thought process becomes jumbled or totally clouded, and they can even become aggressive. Then, inevitably, there is that crash into numbness and fatigue.

So, how does one actually produce positive energy? I suppose it requires becoming aware of the different energies surrounding us and trying to repel the negative ones while attracting the positive ones. These energies are perceived on an abstract level, perhaps through a "spiritual eye." Also, first and foremost, one has to overcome their own spiritual laziness. I mean, the initial human impulse is usually "I don't feel like doing this," or wondering why one should bother when they could just go out for a beer or something like that. But, I think, it is worth it. On the other hand, you could visit someone who is already very energetically strong so they can "charge" you with positive energy—maybe see a bioenergy healer, for example—or you could carry a crystal that holds the energetic imprint of such a person, allowing you to constantly absorb that positivity. There was a time when so-called "Bach flowers" were popular, which is somewhat similar to a spiritual "holy water." That also has some short-term effect. Of course, there are plenty of charlatans out there selling "energized water" for exorbitant prices. In my opinion, the value of the effect is inversely proportional to the price. The more expensive it is, the worse it tends to be. Ideally, these kinds of services shouldn't cost more than $17. Truly, the best way is to bring yourself into a sufficiently positive state so that you produce your own positive energy, but to achieve that, you probably need to clear out all forms of chemicals, maintain a proper vegetarian diet, maybe practice some form of asceticism... But if I had to say, the key is really changing your perception and developing the ability to sense the various types of energy around us. That allows you to focus on the specific energy you want to invite in and pull yourself out of the "blackness"; otherwise, you're just wandering aimlessly, sinking deeper into the thick mire of that darkness.

dustyskipper3 said:Sometimes it feels like life just doesn't have much of a point, and like there's nothing but negativity surrounding us... though, I suppose maybe one should just try to shift their perception. But how does one actually change their (spiritual) perception? I guess there are various techniques out there. Some people find enlightenment by reading Zen parables or perhaps visiting Sai baba. Meditation might help quite a bit with shifting your perspective and reaching higher states of consciousness. There are also rituals or prayers that can be used to call upon a higher awareness—which could include something as simple as attending a Catholic Mass at a local church, or for some, it might even involve an immediate, mystical, initiatory experience that alters one's perception and level of consciousness.

Gratitude is a reliable technique. There’s a whole tradition of it within Christianity.
By simply listing what we're thankful for—making a conscious effort to hunt for the good stuff—we force our focus toward the positive. If you turn this into a daily ritual, it actually starts to impact your mood.
It also recalibrates your perception; if you’re actively looking for things to be grateful for, you’ll start noticing the decent parts of life more often than if you just let them pass you by.

I mean, sure, but I'm pretty convinced that anything requiring significant investment or a long-term ritual just bores most people. They find it tedious, maybe even feel like it's a massive waste of time, so they relax too soon... and then, I guess, that darkness just creeps up from the subconscious and smothers your awareness. On the other hand, you can't really achieve anything without putting in some work. You can't pass a Bar exam without studying, and I suppose spirituality works the same way. The key is not to approach it like a political campaign—you know, expecting massive results overnight—but rather to slowly improve your outlook on life, feeling that gradual growth in positivity, while also being prepared for the setbacks, the falls, and the regressions.

placidranger said:Gratitude is a reliable technique. There’s a whole tradition of it within Christianity.
By simply listing what we're thankful for—making a conscious effort to hunt for the good stuff—we force our focus toward the positive. If you turn this into a daily ritual, it actually starts to impact your mood.
It also recalibrates your perception; if you’re actively looking for things to be grateful for, you’ll start noticing the decent parts of life more often than if you just let them pass you by.

Exactly, my friend.👍
You just let this instrumental track play, and you start mentally listing everything you have in your life—all those things money simply can't buy. 🙂

You get to choose your own perspective on who you are.

dustyskipper3 said:I mean, sure, but I'm pretty convinced that anything requiring significant investment or a long-term ritual just bores most people. They find it tedious, maybe even feel like it's a massive waste of time, so they relax too soon... and then, I guess, that darkness just creeps up from the subconscious and smothers your awareness. On the other hand, you can't really achieve anything without putting in some work. You can't pass a Bar exam without studying, and I suppose spirituality works the same way. The key is not to approach it like a political campaign—you know, expecting massive results overnight—but rather to slowly improve your outlook on life, feeling that gradual growth in positivity, while also being prepared for the setbacks, the falls, and the regressions.

We learn best from our mistakes.👍
If we can turn our falls into valuable lessons, then we've truly won twice over.

dustyskipper3 said:I suppose we could look at all these various states as being tied to specific energies. Most people assume it’s strictly a matter of chemistry, so they turn to alcohol, prescription pills, or even harder substances, thinking they can just force themselves to be happy or upbeat through willpower. But I think that’s a mistake. You end up numbing your brain's receptors, which means you eventually need larger and larger doses of whatever substance is boosting your serotonin or dopamine levels. Plus, by doing that, you’re essentially destroying the chemical foundation required for motivation—which really ought to trigger a natural cycle of producing those substances on its own. In fact, forcing this kind of chemical "positive energy" might actually lead to an accumulation of constant, static "negative energy," which is basically what that state of "blackness" you mentioned feels like. After that, you just feel completely spent and exhausted. I guess that isn't such a huge issue when you're young because you can recharge your batteries quite easily, but once you pass 40, things get pretty difficult, and some of the most persistent users don't even make it to fifty. If you focus on generating positive energy naturally, your serotonin and dopamine will adjust themselves through homeostasis, so there isn't any excessive depletion or receptor overstimulation, and your thoughts tend to stay clearer and more fluid. This seems particularly important because people can get high off drugs, or even just too much caffeine, for instance, but then they lose their mental clarity; their thought process becomes jumbled or totally clouded, and they can even become aggressive. Then, inevitably, there is that crash into numbness and fatigue.

So, how does one actually produce positive energy? I suppose it requires becoming aware of the different energies surrounding us and trying to repel the negative ones while attracting the positive ones. These energies are perceived on an abstract level, perhaps through a "spiritual eye." Also, first and foremost, one has to overcome their own spiritual laziness. I mean, the initial human impulse is usually "I don't feel like doing this," or wondering why one should bother when they could just go out for a beer or something like that. But, I think, it is worth it. On the other hand, you could visit someone who is already very energetically strong so they can "charge" you with positive energy—maybe see a bioenergy healer, for example—or you could carry a crystal that holds the energetic imprint of such a person, allowing you to constantly absorb that positivity. There was a time when so-called "Bach flowers" were popular, which is somewhat similar to a spiritual "holy water." That also has some short-term effect. Of course, there are plenty of charlatans out there selling "energized water" for exorbitant prices. In my opinion, the value of the effect is inversely proportional to the price. The more expensive it is, the worse it tends to be. Ideally, these kinds of services shouldn't cost more than $17. Truly, the best way is to bring yourself into a sufficiently positive state so that you produce your own positive energy, but to achieve that, you probably need to clear out all forms of chemicals, maintain a proper vegetarian diet, maybe practice some form of asceticism... But if I had to say, the key is really changing your perception and developing the ability to sense the various types of energy around us. That allows you to focus on the specific energy you want to invite in and pull yourself out of the "blackness"; otherwise, you're just wandering aimlessly, sinking deeper into the thick mire of that darkness.

It’s that laziness/weakness that triggers everything else.

Wanting something without actually doing the work is just a fast track to a massive amount of frustration. Take Sam Hayes, for example—she reads all these instructional little stories, but once she closes the book, it’s like she hasn't learned a thing. That’s spiritual laziness and a lack of focus right there. Honestly, things are pretty straightforward:

if you want to get somewhere, you have to actually make the trip—start walking, driving, moving.
if you think someone is just going to carry you there, well, you're dreaming, because everyone has their own "journey" and their own goals to hit.
Thinking things will just happen without personal effort is honestly kind of childish. People who think they can lose weight by taking those sketchy supplements advertised in the back of the tabloids clearly don't realize that the only way to drop the pounds is strictly combining a calorie deficit with better food quality and a boost in energy expenditure. So, either you go running, swimming, hitting the gym, or maybe some sex 😁 (apparently, that burns as much energy as swimming eight lengths in an Olympic pool) > which mostly applies to guys, since women tend to be a bit less passive 😍.

Look, if you want to be happy but you're currently miserable, you really have no choice but to shift your perception. Start by being aware of the sheer luck involved in simply being alive and having the agency to choose your own path. Try starting with the small stuff... even choosing what you drink at a coffee shop is a conscious choice 😉 isn't it? From there, we move on... pick a different bar, find a new circle of friends... listen to different music on a Sunday afternoon—it changes your mental landscape incredibly effectively. Mozart before Wagner, Let3 before Detour... or perhaps try the slightly more radical relativism offered by this clown 😉

p.s. I didn't include the song title—just trying to avoid getting a red card from N'duguov.🤣

I really love the way everyone writes here—it’s quite different from what you get in a psychology seminar. It feels more, how should I put it, spiritual? And I honestly find that refreshing 😍
I’m fully aware that nothing just falls into your lap; everything requires actual work, whether it's physical fitness, mental health, or even just getting an education... I suppose I’m probably the least lazy when it comes to physical tasks, maybe simply because that feels the most straightforward 😁as for maturity, I guess that’s something that eventually arrives through experience... and I’ve come to realize that whatever you're tackling, the key is to take it one step at a time... if you try to skip ahead, you might just end up breaking under the pressure... it’s a bit like building a house—you have to lay the foundation and build the walls first 😁if you miss even a single brick, the whole thing might just crumble when a strong wind blows, haha

brisktiger56 said:It’s that laziness/weakness that triggers everything else.

Wanting something without actually doing the work is just a fast track to a massive amount of frustration. Take Sam Hayes, for example—she reads all these instructional little stories, but once she closes the book, it’s like she hasn't learned a thing. That’s spiritual laziness and a lack of focus right there. Honestly, things are pretty straightforward:

if you want to get somewhere, you have to actually make the trip—start walking, driving, moving.
if you think someone is just going to carry you there, well, you're dreaming, because everyone has their own "journey" and their own goals to hit.
Thinking things will just happen without personal effort is honestly kind of childish. People who think they can lose weight by taking those sketchy supplements advertised in the back of the tabloids clearly don't realize that the only way to drop the pounds is strictly combining a calorie deficit with better food quality and a boost in energy expenditure. So, either you go running, swimming, hitting the gym, or maybe some sex 😁 (apparently, that burns as much energy as swimming eight lengths in an Olympic pool) > which mostly applies to guys, since women tend to be a bit less passive 😍.

Look, if you want to be happy but you're currently miserable, you really have no choice but to shift your perception. Start by being aware of the sheer luck involved in simply being alive and having the agency to choose your own path. Try starting with the small stuff... even choosing what you drink at a coffee shop is a conscious choice 😉 isn't it? From there, we move on... pick a different bar, find a new circle of friends... listen to different music on a Sunday afternoon—it changes your mental landscape incredibly effectively. Mozart before Wagner, Let3 before Detour... or perhaps try the slightly more radical relativism offered by this clown 😉

p.s. I didn't include the song title—just trying to avoid getting a red card from N'duguov.🤣

In theory, that sounds right. But what do the employees at a public broadcaster like PBS or its affiliate NPR actually want? Or even the journalists at a state-run paper like The New York Times—which nobody seems to read anyway, including the people writing for it? I wonder if they even have any desires beyond grabbing a drink and forgetting they exist. Their first step on a spiritual path would probably be to just quit and go on some sort of detox retreat, but it seems like they just aren't capable of crossing that Rubicon. They just sit there waiting for the administration to fire them, which won't happen because the leadership is too weighed down by external debt and their own incompetence. And now, unions are gathering signatures for a referendum to try and jumpstart the country by toppling an incompetent government, while also trying to stop people from being fired. They don't want people to end up on welfare just so the wealthy can keep making money like they always have. But the paradox is that by fighting this referendum, we might just be allowing those parasites in the "official" media to enjoy a few more years of spiritual laziness and unproductivity, since they can't be forced out of their jobs.

Those people can honestly say, "I know someone will do my job for me while I still collect a paycheck," because they have "Uncle Lou" on speed dial and he doesn't, so who's to blame? Some fool can just work for both of them, I guess. It’s the same with universities—they don't have the cash to buy their way through exams, so they should just study, right? If they don't, it's their own fault. In the end, they won't get the jobs anyway; I will, because I have connections and an uncle in the Republican Party, and they don't. So, in their minds, it feels like they worked and lived and thought, but they really didn't; they just collected a salary to stay quiet and ignorant while others steal. But what happens when everything is stolen, foreign companies buy up everything, and the public gets kicked to the curb and left with nothing?

If they had read that fable about the grasshopper and the ant, maybe they could have learned something. But here, the story goes differently, I suppose: the ant works all year long for himself and the grasshopper, while the grasshopper plays his tunes, eats, and sells whatever the ant and his parents produced. He puts the surplus into offshore companies and foreign accounts, and when winter comes, he'll leave the ant to freeze while he heads off to Kariba to spend the cash he swindled from the foolish ants. 😁

Ta-man Sam Hayes says we're all just "spiritually enlightened" now 😉, but look at 😛—politics creeping into spiritual circles, I guess 😁.

dustyskipper3... look, we all know how things work in society, whether it's at a state university or just down at the local diner, but not everyone is cut out that way, right? There are decent people out there who actually want to make a living from THEIR own hard work. Then you've got the crowd that wants to move up in the world but has absolutely no clue how to actually do it... which, honestly, isn't even that complicated.

The journey starts with that first step. The more you walk, the stronger your muscles get, making the whole trek easier—meaning you're getting closer to the goal and hitting it faster.

Overthinking is the absolute worst; it's exhausting. You have to stop spinning your wheels with thoughts and words and actually start doing stuff—that’s where the real satisfaction kicks in. Sometimes, just doing something out of the ordinary, something fun, is enough to shift your entire perspective on a problem. I was thinking about that amusement park idea of mine... Only... you actually have to *go* to an amusement park. You have to walk there or catch a Greyhound, and if someone else makes the trip for you, well, Sam Hayes, you don't gain anything from it. You have to be the one to act, even if it's just small steps... Nothing changes overnight.

It would probably help if you shared what you specifically want to achieve; then maybe someone could give you some actual advice on what to do—you know, what that specific "first step" on this journey looks like for you.

And yeah... I'll say it again... Watch what you listen to. Your music choice affects your motivation and your mood...

dustyskipper3 said:In theory, that sounds right. But what do the employees at a public broadcaster like PBS or its affiliate NPR actually want? Or even the journalists at a state-run paper like The New York Times—which nobody seems to read anyway, including the people writing for it? I wonder if they even have any desires beyond grabbing a drink and forgetting they exist. Their first step on a spiritual path would probably be to just quit and go on some sort of detox retreat, but it seems like they just aren't capable of crossing that Rubicon. They just sit there waiting for the administration to fire them, which won't happen because the leadership is too weighed down by external debt and their own incompetence. And now, unions are gathering signatures for a referendum to try and jumpstart the country by toppling an incompetent government, while also trying to stop people from being fired. They don't want people to end up on welfare just so the wealthy can keep making money like they always have. But the paradox is that by fighting this referendum, we might just be allowing those parasites in the "official" media to enjoy a few more years of spiritual laziness and unproductivity, since they can't be forced out of their jobs.

Those people can honestly say, "I know someone will do my job for me while I still collect a paycheck," because they have "Uncle Lou" on speed dial and he doesn't, so who's to blame? Some fool can just work for both of them, I guess. It’s the same with universities—they don't have the cash to buy their way through exams, so they should just study, right? If they don't, it's their own fault. In the end, they won't get the jobs anyway; I will, because I have connections and an uncle in the Republican Party, and they don't. So, in their minds, it feels like they worked and lived and thought, but they really didn't; they just collected a salary to stay quiet and ignorant while others steal. But what happens when everything is stolen, foreign companies buy up everything, and the public gets kicked to the curb and left with nothing?

If they had read that fable about the grasshopper and the ant, maybe they could have learned something. But here, the story goes differently, I suppose: the ant works all year long for himself and the grasshopper, while the grasshopper plays his tunes, eats, and sells whatever the ant and his parents produced. He puts the surplus into offshore companies and foreign accounts, and when winter comes, he'll leave the ant to freeze while he heads off to Kariba to spend the cash he swindled from the foolish ants. 😁

It all comes down to the fact that society basically gave these parasites a green light. If we actually established better rules, the way these freeloaders interact with everyone else—and themselves—would have to change. Without changing the rules of the game, you aren't going to see a shift in behavior.

Whether these parasites are actually unhappy with their lifestyle, who knows. Maybe the system itself prevents them from developing enough perspective to realize what they're doing isn't right... then again, the people actually doing the work—for themselves and others—could probably finally wake up to the situation, band together, and shut the whole thing down.

What if the private sector just decided to unite and stop paying taxes to a government that keeps piling up debt to fund its massive, bloated bureaucracy for a few months? It wouldn't be an easy move, sure, but it would definitely shake things up.

But hey, that's all just theory. In reality, nothing much ever changes.

Gosh, it's strange—last night while I was typing, I felt so calm, just completely relaxed and centered... I wasn't feeling sad or unhappy at all. But then, I woke up this morning with this heavy sense of sorrow... and now, out of nowhere, there's just this painful emptiness mixed with sadness and nostalgia... I honestly don't know how to put it into words; it isn't exactly dark thoughts, more like a lingering sensation... and I find myself feeling this way quite often... it doesn't really feel normal to me... As for my workouts, I’ve reached a point where I need something much more substantial than just the physical training itself... I don't know anymore...

Sam Hayes said:Gosh, it's strange—last night while I was typing, I felt so calm, just completely relaxed and centered... I wasn't feeling sad or unhappy at all. But then, I woke up this morning with this heavy sense of sorrow... and now, out of nowhere, there's just this painful emptiness mixed with sadness and nostalgia... I honestly don't know how to put it into words; it isn't exactly dark thoughts, more like a lingering sensation... and I find myself feeling this way quite often... it doesn't really feel normal to me... As for my workouts, I’ve reached a point where I need something much more substantial than just the physical training itself... I don't know anymore...

So you aren't even sure how to shift your perspective?
And tell me... what about love? Does he actually love you, or is it just... a way to make sure you aren't lonely?
Or maybe... you aren't even in a relationship to begin with?

It’s nothing, really—it doesn't matter one bit 😁

Sam Hayes said:It’s nothing, really—it doesn't matter one bit 😁

Consider that your homework for tonight. Just sit there and think about why love actually matters—and how it ties into shifting your mindset, getting rid of that lethargy, and finding some actual clarity or happiness... or whatever.

And love—well, it’s important, incredibly important... but I suppose you just can't force someone to love you, nor can you really force yourself to love someone else either...

I just want to say briefly that there are times when seeking medical help and taking medication for a set period—or even permanently—is absolutely necessary.
Hunger doesn't listen to reason, and because of that, people often mistake genuine mental health disorders for mere laziness.
Failing to seek professional help can be incredibly dangerous and allow a condition to spiral out of control.
While things like shifting your mindset, working on perception, self-encouragement, healthy eating, and exercise are all great, those are mostly helpful for people dealing with minor "issues" rather than those facing actual clinical problems. On the flip side, you definitely shouldn't medicate yourself without cause just because you had a bad couple of days.
Sometimes, a person simply cannot get out of bed without medication, and in those moments, medication is the only way to help. Once they have stabilized, they can then use various techniques to strengthen themselves and aid their own recovery.
Self-help is always a good tool, but it isn't always enough.
Naturally, one should try self-help first, but if you feel like you're sinking and nothing is working, you need to seek out whatever medical assistance and medication are available.
Modern antidepressants have almost no side effects and don't create dependency. Once someone is back on their feet, it is easy and painless to taper off them.
Because I have an inherently sensitive personality, I have been both on medication and off it whenever I didn't need it.
For many people, self-work is sufficient, but others will periodically or even permanently require medication to help them manage.
That’s my two cents.🙂