Human beings are God’s greatest creations. He has given us arms, legs and the free will to use them as we please. But He has also bestowed upon us a very powerful weapon that we often fail to recognise. This weapon can either destroy us or build us up. It shapes our future and reflects our past, influencing our character and the roles we play in society.

What difference do we make, how do we help others, or create further problems; are our contributions viewed as a positive or negative impact on our surroundings? Ultimately, all of these acts are within the control of that one thing we all possess — our powerful brain.

But how can a mind, so small and caged within the skull, be so powerful and dangerous? How can we, as beings with free will, be controlled by a mere mass of tissue we call a brain? Before you debate me on this, hear me out.

We use our minds to think, analyse situations, devise solutions and take actions. Every day-to-day activity, every reaction to different stimuli, begins with our thoughts. But what do we think about and what influences our thoughts? For example, if a person slaps the one bulling them, what initially triggered that response? Of course, it was the bully’s actions, but the other person could have chosen to speak up or push back, instead of resorting to violence. Why did he choose a slap over a punch or a kick?

This is where our initial thoughts come into play, and they are influenced by whether we tend to be positive or negative, optimistic or pessimistic.

If an optimistic person faces bullying, they might try talking it out with the bully first. When that doesn’t work, they may choose to ignore the bully. In contrast, a pessimist facing the same situation might respond with violence, believing the bully deserves a taste of their own medicine. I’m not suggesting one approach is right and the other wrong; we are merely analysing how different mindsets respond to challenges. Each mindset can be correct in certain situations and wrong in others. However, the negative thinker often suffers from the consequences of their mindset, leading to trust issues and isolation. They may find themselves alone, accompanied only by regrets.

Let’s explore this further with a well-known example from the Harry Potter series. Harry Potter and Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort) both had similar childhoods. They were orphans, grew up unaware of the wizarding world, and were mistreated by those around them. How did they respond to their circumstances?

Harry sought to avoid trouble with the Dursleys, while Tom sought revenge and hurt others. Harry maintained a positive outlook, believing he would never treat others as he had been treated. In contrast, Tom grew up vowing to make others’ lives miserable, just as his life had been.

What did this thinking lead to for both of them? One became a hero, while the other became a villain. Both were intelligent and capable. The difference lay in their mindsets.

We cannot blame the hardships in our lives to get in the way of our thinking. Everyone faces challenges daily, sometimes even more than we do. Just because someone is smiling doesn’t mean their life is perfect. Yet, some choose to smile and laugh despite their struggles. This resilience is what makes them stronger and more beautiful. They strive to make others’ lives easier, even with simple acts like complimenting someone’s shoes.

It’s never too late to change your perspective. Situations and people may bring you to tears, but that doesn’t mean you have to hurt yourself or those who truly care for you. The individuals who spread positivity wherever they go are a testament that you can do the same. As the saying goes, if life throws lemons at you, make lemonade!

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 28th, 2024