When you aim to fix something — you approach it from the outset as if it’s broken. Something whole doesn’t require fixing. Remember, how you see things determines how you treat them because your beliefs dictate your actions.
Think about it: if you see someone as a ‘poor thing’, you’ll treat them with pity. If you believe someone is amazing and inspiring, your attitude towards them will reflect that belief. The same principle applies to how we view ourselves. If you see yourself as a failure, you might shy away from taking seemingly a bold step. Conversely, if you believe you’re lucky, extraordinary, or bright, your actions will align with that self-image.
You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
What’s true holds only true in the present moment given your current awareness and best knowledge. Sometimes, to discover how to make something work, you need to have an experience of how not to. Sometimes, the only way to find out what we like is through first experiencing what we don’t like. You can’t know what light is until you’re aware of darkness.
Hence, all experience is something to be grateful for, not to be neglected, since it serves a great purpose in our self-discovery.
However, in an absolute sense, every event in life is merely an experience. Nothing is inherently good or bad. What makes it so is our perception and a subjective assessment based on what suits us and makes us feel comfortable or uncomfortable. As well as whether it matches our established beliefs and core values we stand by at any given moment.
Five Fundamental Principles of Human Greatness: Ericksonian Wisdom
Dr Milton Erickson was a remarkable genius of psychology and psychiatrist, also known as the father of hypnosis. He managed to utilise his inner potential to the fullest, regardless of limitations — including the full body paralysis, as a result of polio, that he managed to overcome bringing on board the power of his mindset.
He was a living testament to human excellence. Overcoming the crippling effects of polio, Erickson used the power of his mind to transform limitations into opportunities. His approach to life and therapy has inspired countless people to tap into their inner potential. At the core of his philosophy are five fundamental principles that offer profound insights into human greatness:
Principle #1: People Are Okay as They Are
Erickson believed in the inherent value of every individual. This principle asserts that people aren’t broken neither do they require fixing; they are whole and capable just as they are. When we approach ourselves and others with this mindset, we cultivate a sense of acceptance and empowerment. By acknowledging that we are okay as we are, we create a solid foundation for growth and change. This doesn’t mean we can’t strive for improvement, but rather, we recognise that the journey starts from a place of worthiness.
Principle #2: People Already Have All the Resources They Need Within Them
Every person already possesses all the resources they need to overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and transform their lives. These resources might be untapped or hidden beneath layers of doubt or fear, but they are there. Your mind is a treasure trove of creativity, resilience, and wisdom.
The key is to drop the luggage of limiting beliefs behind and overcome the victim’s mentality whispering that our lives are a solidified result of circumstances. The truth is that we’re infinitely potent beings holding fate in our hands and it’s our choice what we do with that and how much we take advantage of whatever little we’re granted.
Principle #3: A Person Always Makes the Best Choice They Can at the Time
While hindsight might reveal better options, it’s important to remember that we make the best choice at any given moment, given our circumstances, knowledge, and resources. This principle is liberating — it frees you from the guilt of past mistakes. Understanding this helps foster compassion for yourself and others, recognising that decisions are always made with the best intentions and available awareness at that time.
Principle #4: Every Behavior Has a Positive Intention
Erickson taught that even seemingly negative or harmful behaviours have an underlying positive intention. People act in a way they believe will fulfil or protect their needs, even if the methods are misguided. Understanding the positive intention behind a behaviour allows us to address the underlying need rather than just the surface behaviour. This insight can lead to more effective and compassionate interventions, whether in therapy or daily life.
Principle #5: Change Is Inevitable
Life is in a constant state of flux. And change is an essential aspect of human existence. Rather than resist change, Ericson encouraged people to welcome it as an opportunity for growth and renewal. This principle reminds us that adaptability is crucial for thriving in life. By becoming adept at facing a change we can harness the potential they bring. Think of it: it’s only the most adaptive species that managed to survive over centuries. Whether we like change or not, it’s only the change that’s constant. And unless we march in unison with it, we grant ourselves to regress remaining behind.
Final Thought: The Way You See Things Is the Way You Treat Them
To apply these principles, consider them as lenses through which you view your experiences and interactions. Remember, the only truth is what exists in the present moment. Life’s experiences, whether pleasant or painful, are valuable in shaping who you are.
Our perception has an immense impact on our reality and quality of life. If we approach life thinking that we or others need to be fixed, we operate from a deficiency mindset. However, if we recognise the wholeness within, we act from a place of empowerment.
As Erickson demonstrated, our mind has the power to heal, transform, and overcome even the most daunting challenges. His legacy teaches us that when we view ourselves and others through a prism of possibility rather than limitation we unlock extraordinary potential. Remember, the way you see things is the way you treat them. When you apply these principles, you open the door to human excellence and greatness.
