by Isabella Regino
In high school, it can be hard to find free time if you’re a busy person. Between clubs, sports, and homework, it’s not uncommon for one to be stressed. We’re so focused on getting something done that we forget to just take a deep breath and concentrate on the moment. There’s a quote from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Newt Scamander says, “My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice.” Why worry when you can simply focus on the moment now? Did you know that we are capable of choosing our thoughts? You may say it’s hard to think: I am going to be successful and I will get through anything it takes to accomplish my goal. But all it takes is some practice. Pay attention to your thoughts. Try to catch yourself each time you think a negative thought, and when you do, turn it around and replace it with a positive one. You will be surprised at how much of our current reality is shaped by our thoughts.
Your attitude towards life completely changes the experience you have.The people who love life are often the people who are grateful for everything they have and choose to focus on the positive even in the face of negativity. Hating life is usually a result of bad things happening in someone’s life, and it’s understandable that this makes life harder. But it’s the perspective that you have on life that changes your overall motivation. Charles R. Swindoll, an author, said, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” In other words, you can’t always control the future when unexpected events happen. But you can always find a way to be happy in the present moment. Even if it’s just by focusing on the small things that you’re grateful for.
Believing that you can achieve anything you want in life is the first step to success. In knowing that your life is indeed not over if you miss a deadline or make a mistake, you’ll look forward to all of the opportunities life has to offer. When we are faced with obstacles, we need to work through them in order to grow. A lot of stress comes from our own minds thinking, I’m not going to finish this in time, or I have to make this really good and I’m not sure if I can do it. If you practice re-training your way of thinking and choosing to say that you can and will do whatever it takes to accomplish your goals, you are one step closer to achievement. Focus on the present moment, and do what you can right now. Look at failures as lessons. Don’t take constructive criticism personally; see it as an opportunity to better yourself and grow. We are all learning new things every day and we are not perfect, so it’s okay to make mistakes. Most of all, don’t give up, because hard work pays off in the end. Overall, life is a journey, and thinking with a positive mindset is the most powerful and useful tool that you can have.