Seek the Beauty
Seek beauty
An account of an event featuring the legendary motivational speaker Zig Ziglar.
An angry woman rushed toward the speaker. Before he could even introduce himself, she launched into an angry tirade about how much she hated her job.
Zig Ziglar was taken aback. He had likely never seen such anger and malice in a human being. Clearly, the woman had reached the absolute limit of her tolerance.
Her tirade ended with an exclamation directed at Zig: “I’m at my breaking point! You have to help me!”
“Help you? I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but an even worse day lies ahead for you. I’m certain your boss is going to fire you.”
The woman was shocked. “He’s going to fire me? And for what, for God’s sake, would he fire me?”
Zig Zaglar looked the woman in the eye and said:
“I don’t believe there’s a company anywhere in the world that deals with so much poison in such a small space—poison that could be gotten rid of so easily.”
The woman’s reaction was predictable. That’s what happens with almost anyone who complains about something, once you tell them they stand to lose that very thing.
Instead of continuing her tirade, for the first time, she began looking for a solution. “What can I do? Help me!”
“Ma’am, I have an idea,” Zig Ziglar said calmly, “and I guarantee it will work, provided you do exactly what I tell you.”
The woman nodded slightly.
Zig continued: “When you get home tonight and finish all your household chores, take a sheet of paper and write: ‘I like my job because…'”
But before he could even finish, the woman let out a cynical laugh. “That’ll be easy. There is absolutely nothing I like about my job.”
Zig Ziglar replied:
“Let me ask you—just out of curiosity—did you apply for the job at this company yourself, and do they pay you for working there?”
“Well, yes—at least they do that.”
“You like getting paid, don’t you?”
“Of course—who doesn’t?”
“There you go—that’s the first reason why you like your job. Let’s get started right now. Please take out your notepad, and let’s continue the list together…” the speaker encouraged her.
Within just a few minutes, they had already listed 22 reasons why the woman liked her job.
But Zig wasn’t finished yet. He advised the woman that, that very same evening before going to bed, she should take the list, stand in front of a mirror, look herself in the eye, and read the list with excitement and enthusiasm. He even suggested that, instead of saying “I like my job because…”, she should say “I love my job because…”.
He advised her to do the same the following morning. He also recommended that she keep the list with her, so she could add something new to it whenever she discovered another aspect of her job that she enjoyed.
A few weeks later, Zig Ziglar met the woman again and saw a completely different person. He acknowledged her success.
At first glance, this might seem trivial or even ridiculous. After all, no one imagines themselves standing in front of a mirror, staring at their own reflection and talking to themselves like some kind of lunatic.
The fact is, however, that it works.
I know you might not believe me, but give it a try.
On the very first day, when you look in the mirror—instead of the usual thought, “Here comes another lousy day”—smile! Tell yourself that an incredibly wonderful day awaits you, filled with positive emotions and experiences!
Leave your home with a smile. Smile at your neighbor and greet her cheerfully. Smile at everyone you encounter. By the time you reach your colleagues, you’ll feel as though you are dancing—as if you are flying.
Everyone will notice the change and respond in kind. Be grateful for everything that happens. Even if you don’t know why in the moment, remain grateful—if you take a moment to reflect, you will surely discover the reason. The specifics don’t really matter; what matters is that it exists. Try to let your whole day unfold in this spirit. It might require some conscious effort at first, but over time, it will become a habit.
This exercise doesn’t work for everyone, but I know quite a few people who, by using it, have come to love their lives—and, more importantly, have changed them for the better.
This is because they harness all the beauty that exists in life to work for them, rather than letting negative events and a negative attitude consume it like a “black hole.”
The choice is yours. Personally, I’d rather feel like a fool in front of the mirror for five minutes if it means enjoying life for the rest of the time.
You only get one life—think of it as a glass of a magical elixir. Drink it with pleasure; no one is going to pour you a second glass!
Seek out the beauty!
Embrace all the positive energy and the special care we dedicate to people. Reach out to us for more details: 0888153150 – Galina Mihaylova.
