Look where you wish to go

 “We think by imagining the worst, we are protecting ourselves from it. In reality, we are actually attracting it.”

What’s the worst thing that could happen?

To be honest, you shouldn’t know.

You shouldn’t imagine the worst thing that can happen because that is what your brain will prepare for.

Definition:

Catastrophize (ca·​tas·​tro·​phize, kə-ˈta-strə-ˌfīz)

To imagine the worst possible outcome of an action or event.

Why do we imagine the worst possible outcome? Because we think it is protecting us. Meanwhile, it is actually doing the opposite. By avoiding the worst outcome, we prevent ourselves from realizing the best outcome.

When you’re walking next to a cliff what’s the worst thing you can do?

Imagine yourself falling off the cliff. The more you focus on what could happen the more likely it is to happen. 

Planting the idea of negativity in your head causes you to focus on negativity. You avoid doing things that will get you to the best outcome because you are too busy avoiding the worst outcome. It relates perfectly to an allegory I have heard all my life:

“Why don’t you ask them out, what’s the worst that could happen?”

The worst that could happen is something you shouldn’t attempt to imagine, instead imagine what is the best that could happen. Maybe you find your life partner. Maybe you find true happiness. Maybe it lasts forever. If it doesn’t, so what. You gained some experience along the way and you are better off than if you didn’t go for it. That should be where your head goes when an important decision arises. 

Negative outcome avoidance vs positive outcome pursual.

Spending your entire life running from the worst will never get you to the best, it will simply keep you from the worst. 

Your entire life is made up of decisions and outcomes. Every decision has an outcome. Make the decision in favor of the positive outcome, don’t avoid the decision in favor of the negative outcome. 

Pursue the positive, don’t avoid the negative.

Keep your eyes on the prize.

***

~Thank you for reading. My goal is to help teach others ways to better themselves while doing the same for myself. This is The Exploration.~