as are we...

[4woody]

This world with all its beauty and all its vibrancy is just so because it is not fixed, because everything is contingent.

LAMA WILLA B. MILLER

[JAFOman]

It's temporary. It won't last. That goes for the beauty and happiness as well as the pain. It's a cycle of disappointment that wears some of us down to the point of giving up.

Pessimistic and pragmatic view yes. But valid and real all the same. Words only have the power you assign them, they get taken in ways we don't intend so often it's hardly worth using them for anything meaningful or personal.

I am not a "good" example of positive thinking lol. I originally thought healthy thinking but by not considering the other view I believe would be much more unhealthy.

[Roxylox in reply to JAFOman]

You are so right about words often being misunderstood

[4woody in reply to JAFOman]

I’m so glad you shared your thoughts. Words do have the power we assign them. I found the use of the word contingent helpful for reframing. I am frequently worn to giving up by the cycle of life. And I take comfort that I will not live forever this way. My weariness makes the cycle no less beautiful. Just as your pessimism makes life no less enjoyable for the person sitting next to you if they chose to enjoy it. I hope you are willing to acknowledge that the person next to you enjoying their beautiful life is no less real or valid. Is perception reality?

[JAFOman in reply to 4woody]

My views are just mine and I don't force them on anyone. Just playing devils advocate that while the quote is I'm sure intended to be positive and uplifting not everyone will see it that way. Because my view is not rose colored glasses I tend to see another side. By chance were you offended by my comment? What made you feel you needed to say "I hope you are willing to acknowledge that the person next to you enjoying their beautiful life is no less real or valid."

[4woody in reply to JAFOman]

I was not offended. I don't care to assign intentions to the author or the quote. There will likely be as many different views as there are people who read it. How do you feel about rose colored glasses? I acknowledge that what you experience is valid and real. As are my own experiences. Do you regard the experience of someone with rose colored glasses as real and valid? Is perception reality? Do my questions offend?

[JAFOman in reply to 4woody]

I Absolutely regard everyone's experiences as real and valid. Your questions do not offened at all. I never meant to and did not want to come across as a jerk is why I asked. I think rose colored glasses taint the reality of what is in front of us. There is beauty and horror all around, no light without dark. Ignoring one or the other doesn't help, focusing solely on one isn't the answer either. The one you head towards makes the difference.

[4woody in reply to JAFOman]

I appreciate that you are not one sided... My experience tells me that being able to regard each person's experience as real and valid is most helpful to that person and that relationship. And sometimes that means accepting rose colored glasses as a valid perspective. It is theirs and for them it is real. I likely have filters that I use daily that get me through the day and even give me occasion to smile or sigh or maybe laugh out loud... maybe.

[Hidden]

To me, perception is not reality, it is how we view reality, our perception of it, if you will. I think I just confused myself....😉 Lack of sleep, perhaps.

[4woody in reply to Hidden]

hope you get some sleep snow...