Part II

Let's take a moment to examine what causes us to think differently. As in the example quoted in our previous discussion it could be because the person whom we're supposed to meet has always been late. Or it could be because this person has never been late before, which caused us to be worried. Hence, it can be a result of our past experiences with this person that caused us to think one way or another.

But what if, we have never met this person before in the past, and do not know enough about this person to make that kind of 'judgement'? What if this was a first date? Well, some of us might just walk off. Some of us might start thinking, maybe he/she really doesn't want to meet us, which could lead to some level of self-doubt. Or some of us might be furious and think, this person really had the audacity to stand me up!

So, in this other situation, where we do not know enough of this person to make such judgements, how do we arrive at such a conclusion? Or think in such a way? Well, it could be for some of us, we have had the experience of being stood up.

Or, it could have been our friends who shared with us their experiences of being had. Either way, the way in which we think can be based on past experiences or through other sources such as from watching movies, reading books, or merely through the experiences of others.

Ok, so in actual fact, how we think can be shaped by past experiences of ours or through the experiences of others. In other words, our thinking can be shaped by the external environment. And the reason why, when we are caught in similar situations, we will almost subconsciously think that way because of the path of least resistance.

Let's just say, we've had previous experiences of being had, and the next time a similar situation occurs, we'll almost automatically think that way. And if we experience more and more of such experiences, we'll just jump to that conclusion.

That's the reason why, for some people, the moment they hear investment, they'll tell you, be careful, because you might lose money. When asked how did they arrive at such a conclusion, reasons may range from, "I've tried it in the past, and I got burnt" to "my uncle lost a lot of money in the stock market". Both situations created a negative emotions for them and as a result, they decided to stay away from it and also advised you to do the same.

Case in point is where, you previously got scald by a boiling kettle and the next time you see a kettle, you'd be extra careful. This is because you were burnt, hurt, and it was painful (negative emotion) and that experience stayed in your mind and probably replay it the moment you see the kettle. As a result, what's happening is in fact your subconscious mind working.
As your subconscious mind does not forget anything and it reacts everytime in a consistent manner each time a similar situation occurs.

Besides, what you subconscious mind is doing is protecting you. Imagine even you were badly burnt the last time, you didn't learn your lesson and you touch another boiling kettle and got burnt, and it happened again, and again, and again...

Well, unless you are suffering from amnesia, you'd most probably remember the last incident and be careful the next time.

Some of you might be familiar with the concept of the "path of least resistance". In other words, we are so used to reacting in a particular manner when faced with a certain situation. So much so that it becomes effortless. Or put it differently, we almost don't even need to think that when X happens, Y will be our response. Imagine like whenever you see the face of your landlord, you'd just want to avoid him. Or, some of us would be familiar with this. Whenever you see that particular person in the office, negative emotions just well up, so much so that you just want to turn and walk away.

Now, of course there are situations where like when you see the love of your life, everything just turn out right. *smile*

imagine, if you can re-train your mind to react in a certain positive manner whenever you need to give an after-dinner speech.

We'll continue with this, with a focus on children and also in the context of your professional life.