Beverley Writes

Hello again my friends, I hope the past week has been good for you and the week to come is even better.

I’ve been thinking about happiness and what it involves. It’s strange I think that what one person regards as a happy life, another finds extremely dissatisfying. Why is that do you think? Maybe our thought for the week will hold some insights.

Just a thought:

I’ve actually found two quotes that I think are worthwhile thinking about. The first is from Abraham Lincoln. He said, “People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

The second is from Marcus Aurelius Antoninus who was a Roman Emperor who died around 180 AD. He said, “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”

Interesting, isn’t it, that these two men who lived hundreds of years apart, had such a similar insight on happiness.

The week that was:

Recently those of us who live in Australia and New Zealand celebrated Anzac Day. For those who are unaware, ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and refers to the soldiers who fought in World War 1 from our two countries.

In more recent times it has been a day of thankfulness and remembrance for all of our countrymen and women who have fought and died in all wars.

When I think of Anzac Day I think of the bravery of those young people who went in obedience to their country’s summons to a war in another country. Many of them did not return. The assault on Gallipoli, where the concept of Anzac was born, was part of a strategy in a war that was meant to end all wars.

Today we know that was not the case and many many more people have died or been permanently maimed in many many more wars.

Even more than their bravery, the thing that impresses me most about those young soldiers is their mindset. The choice to be obedient to a higher authority whether or not they understood the reasons.

I’ve done a lot of thinking about this subject of obedience and the choices that lie behind it. As a society I think these days we tend to question the decision- makers of our country, usually without a full knowledge of all the implications.

A bit like a rebellious toddler who says “no” just because she/he can. Not because it’s the right decision.

So getting back to the idea of a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. Do we base our decisions on what we believe to be the best course of action (growth mindset) or on the way we’ve been programmed to respond.

Saying yes or no is not always easy. Nor is it necessarily an indication of whether we are acting from a fixed perspective, or a growth perspective.

I know I often struggle with obedience. I’m more inclined to want to know why or why not rather than choosing to obey a higher authority.

I think I often work from a fixed mindset. I was a teenager in the seventies when it was “cool” to rebel against what we saw as unnecessary restraints. The world of “if it feels good then do it.” 

It seemed like an attitude of growth, a way of progress and moving forward.

Actually it was a fixed attitude, born of the times, when rebellion against authority was the order of the day.

For the sake of being rebellious not for the sake of truly believing in a better way. To be seen to being true to self, when we didn’t actually know what that was.

I wonder what those Anzacs would make of such an attitude.

Animal family:

Some time ago I was asked to present a short talk focused on the obedience of those Anzacs who went to war. Who chose to go freely and willingly.

As I said, I often struggle with obedience.

I thought long and hard about some shining examples of obedience in our modern world and unfortunately, I could not think of a recent human example.

The best examples of obedience I could think of in this day and age I found in the world of dogs, not humans.

Connor is a typical example, nothing outstanding, just a typical loved fur baby. She arrived in my life as an 8-week-old puppy, knowing nothing about her new life, but ready to take on a whole new experience with joy and commitment. Definitely a growth mindset.

We have had an interesting journey so far, learning and competing in the world of-you guessed it- dog obedience.

Her willingness to trust and enjoy whatever new lesson she is faced with constantly impresses me. It’s not just her obedience, it’s the joy she shows, both in the learning and in the achieving. Surely that level of growth mindset is the best way to face the lifelong ups and downs we all encounter along the way.

So from now on I am going to choose to try to be as positive and joyful in my life journey as my dog.

That’s a growth mindset.

My book:

I have been invited to present my book at a ladies luncheon later this week. Another exciting opportunity to get my book into different hands. Also a bit nerve racking!

As I have mentioned in earlier posts I have copies of my book available for sale $20 a copy postage free. Just message me if you are interested or contact me via the comments page.

My business:

It’s all about The Iceberg Effect this week. You can get your free copy here.

I delve into The Iceberg Effect regularly. Funnily enough while I was reflecting on mindset and whether we are operating from a fixed or growth mindset, I found more interesting information on this subject in Dean Holland’s book.

The following quote is directly from The Iceberg Effect:

“According to psychologist Carol Dweck, people with fixed mindsets believe their skills and talents to be based on inherent character, intelligence, and creative ability. This is set in stone and they can’t be changed. If you succeed, you attribute your success to the stuff with which you were born.

What do you do? You stay within your comfort zone and avoid failure at all costs by not even trying. As a result, failure defines you.

People with a growth mindset believe they can be good at what they try because their abilities and skills depend not just on inherent nature but on actions.

Thriving on challenge, these people view failure as a temporary setback and a springboard for growth. This gives them confidence to push into unfamiliar territory where they are always growing and learning something new.”

Very interesting isn’t it? Do you know which mindset defines you?

Wrapping up:

Well that’s it for this post. Lots to think about and I know some of it is a bit controversial. Please feel free to add your comments as I am sure there is much of value that others could contribute.

Have a great week everyone.

Take care

Bev

PS. Don’t forget to grab your copy of The Iceberg Effect right here.