Happy June!
Going to the movie theater has always been something I have enjoyed doing. I know you can rent a movie and watch it in the comfort of your own home, but there is something about walking into the theater and smelling the popcorn, having a hotdog, and just sitting in the theater chairs with the big screen.
I took four of my grandchildren to the movie Inside Out 2, and we had a blast – a three year old, a five year old, a six year old, and an 8 year old. I was a bit concerned if one had to go to the bathroom, we would all have to get up and go together. But as we arrived, I got them all a snack pack, and we hit the big screen with excitement and happiness. Just sitting and watching their faces light up as the movie started and watching them enjoy their popcorn and slushies made my heart happy. At that moment, it wasn’t even about me watching the movie – it was about watching them. They truly enjoyed it, as did Nana.
The second movie I went to see this month was IF. It’s about a young girl who goes through a difficult experience and begins to see everyone’s imaginary friends who have been left behind as their real-life friends have grown up. That movie really got me thinking. It makes you experience many emotions about life, and I found myself asking the question What IF? What if I had an imaginary friend? Did I have an imaginary friend growing up? I honestly could not recall that I did, but my mind kept rolling to the question What IF?
Think back to all your insecure thoughts. Did they start with “what ifs?” I started to realize mine mostly did. What if I start writing a book and can’t finish it? What if I train for a marathon and can’t finish it? What if I look fat in that dress? What if, What if, What if……… As you can see, all these “what if” problems are issues that your mind comes up with out of nowhere. Even as I am writing this blog, I am thinking, “What if people don’t like this?”
So let’s change our mindset. Asking questions using “what if” can be a great motivator, because they can get you to dream bigger. You just have to make sure you are asking yourself the right kind of “what if” questions. Ask questions that spark a future possibility – questions like, What if I write a book? What if I run a marathon? What if I buy a new dress? All these questions help you do better and be better.
So grab your popcorn and find your seat. You never know what you may find out about yourself in front of the big screen.
Perspective and conscious understanding of our thoughts are very important. The next time your mind conjectures negative worst-case scenario “what ifs,” just remember to change your perspective by changing those worst-case “what ifs” to best-case “what if” scenarios
