Resetting the emotional dial

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." - Max Planck

I find this idea of reframing to be a powerful catalyst for resetting the emotional dial, both in oneself and in others. For example, how do you feel when faced with a tremendous challenge you have no idea how to solve? Do you just give up? Or are you a perfectionist who needs to control everything, who gets nervous at the thought of making mistakes? Are you afraid to stick your neck out, are you terrified of the unknown? What if you fail? Will you be crushed at finding you have shortcomings or hard limits? What if you're embarrassed? Do you worry what others will think of you?

Or do you look at a tremendous challenge as an opportunity to explore, learn and grow? Are you grateful to have this opportunity, possibly to come out on the other side stronger, wiser, with valuable insights and experiences? Do you take responsibility for your choices and actions? Do you operate from the dual forces of fear and aggression, or courage and humility? 

In fact, is it possible that life's obstacles and challenges are really the only way we grow, learn, and develop compassion, that they are the only way we become truly human? Each of us is on our own journey. No one can shortcut my journey for me, and I cannot shortcut anyone else's journey.

"One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it." - Oogway the tortoise in Kung Fu Panda