Find Your Middle Ground

How we See Things

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getting clear

It all depends on how we look at things, and not how they are in themselves.

~ Carl Jung

We see things through our own filters all the time. These filters come from our senses and how we interpret them, via our thoughts and feelings, and our individual and cultural beliefs.

Take a moment and reflect on a time when you felt really loved, and how the world becomes a loving place…

Notice too when there is sadness, and the world is pretty miserable…

It’s the same world out there, we just see it through different glasses. It’s our relationship with the world around us that is constantly changing as our thoughts and mood shift.

We have the power to shift our world, and see more clearly, by bringing more and more awareness to our thoughts and feelings and how they impact our view of the world.

As an observer of your self and the world around you, you can decide how to look at it.

Whether you perceive life as a greek tragedy, a comedy, a never ending sit-com or a BBC documentary, is your choice.

45 responses to “How we See Things”

  1. dianasschwenk Avatar
    dianasschwenk

    So very true Val. ♡
    Diana xo

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Glad you appreciated this, Diana 💛

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  2. Louise Gallagher Avatar
    Louise Gallagher

    And if you believe in magic… life is magical! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      It is indeed Louise. Thank you 💛

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  3. Ann Koplow Avatar
    Ann Koplow

    As an observer of the world, Val, I appreciate how you see things. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      I appreciet your observation and kind words Ann. Thank you 💛

      Liked by 1 person

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  4. Hariod Brawn Avatar
    Hariod Brawn

    Yes Val, the apparently subjective is all in our relationship with the coming and going world — the world being things ‘out there’ but also the thoughts ‘up here’ in the mind. And yet there’s something that ties together those thoughts, our feelings, the world and other beings together. This ‘something’ is both there (and here) but isn’t perceivable, isn’t a consciously apprehended mental object, and yet it can be known, by itself, as itself. It rests, so to speak, behind the ephemera of consciousness. Naming it isn’t terribly useful, it seems to me, and yet perhaps ‘awareness’ is the most neutral term? It’s a relationship, as you say, but not one with polar opposites of subject at one end and object at the other. It’s a continuum of relationship with no actual point of centrality, only an imagined one of ‘me here’. H ❤

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    1. belasbrightideas Avatar
      belasbrightideas

      Yes, and along this continuum resides something like chance as well, do you agree, Hariod? So there’s a bit of randomness thrown into the mix. ❤

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      1. Hariod Brawn Avatar
        Hariod Brawn

        Yes, I sometimes, in paraphrasing, cite Jacques Monod and refer to life as residing in Chance and Necessity. But ultimately I don’t know, dear Bela, about terms like ‘chance’, ‘luck’, and so on. I just don’t know. After all, if there is some sort of karmic influence at work, I would only ever get inklings of it within my own experience. I tend to think, based on the evidence of my own experience, that such a thing is in play, so then when I look at what appears to be a ‘chance’ event, it makes me wonder if it’s really that. What do you think, about karma and all that? H ❤

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        1. belasbrightideas Avatar
          belasbrightideas

          I definitely notice a cause and effect right here, right now – so why wouldn’t that (karma) also hold sway in the continuum of which we speak? Yet most would consider certain events to be random, chance, unlucky or lucky. I don’t rule out anything, because just when I think I know something, it shows me its opposite or close to that (and has done so for years now). Sounds like you’ve had similar experiences, whether differently described or not. I definitely agree karma is a force of balance in the universal sense. ❤ Hariod And PS – Hey Val! Sorry to hijack your comment thread! ❤ to you!

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          1. Val Boyko Avatar
            Val Boyko

            Thank you dear Bela and Hariod for continuing the conversation here! I love it 💛
            I am with you both in this. There is something more than what appears, that connects and weaves into our awareness, or is beyond it….a knowing of something beyond knowing. Karma is such an interesting idea… but also feels limited.

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  5. Jill Weatherholt Avatar
    Jill Weatherholt

    It’s comforting to know we have this power, isn’t it? ❤

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  6. Paul Handover Avatar
    Paul Handover

    Ah! That never-ending quest to find the meaning of life! Wasn’t it 42? 😎

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      You lost me at 42 Paul (?)

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  7. Kate Crimmins Avatar
    Kate Crimmins

    Adjust your filter, adjust your life!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Exactly Kate! And perhaps get a professional in when the filters get clogged. 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Kate Crimmins Avatar
        Kate Crimmins

        or Rotor Rooter! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

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  8. Jet Eliot Avatar
    Jet Eliot

    It is a remarkable aspect of human living, attitude. And taking responsibility for how we experience life through our attitude is a beautiful dance. Wonderful post, Val, and cleverly expressed.

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you so much Jet 💕

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  9. Tiny Avatar
    Tiny

    This is so true, Val! As we go inward, we can learn to know our usual filters and get better in managing them….this is a great reminder! I have noticed that some people have their ‘black-out blinds’ on even when they walk or run in nature…they are all about their fitbit, phone or music and don’t experience any of the surrounding beauty.

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      What you said reminds me of racehorses who have to run with blinkers, so they don’t freak out. If the horse wasn’t in a race, with the intention to win, there would be no need. Our intention impacts the filters too. Thanks Helen 💛

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  10. smilecalm Avatar
    smilecalm

    i should go
    off to see
    the wizard
    for new spectacles 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Or perhaps look for where you left them earlier. Thank you David ☺️

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      1. smilecalm Avatar
        smilecalm

        problem is
        i’m still wearing
        the old pair, Val 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

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  11. Healing Grief Avatar
    Healing Grief

    Great post Val! Life isn’t as complicated as some people make it out to be. Simply being in this moment is more than enough. 💕

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      I know I do tend to over complicate things in life … thankfully I have someone like you to keep it simple and real. 💛

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      1. Healing Grief Avatar
        Healing Grief

        Ha don’t worry I’m complicating it too Val! But practising is helping a lot. 💚

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  12. nrhatch Avatar
    nrhatch

    Yup. Monitoring our thoughts allows us to re-program the default setting on our remotes ~> training our brain to broadcast shows that are worth watching.

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Such a a clever analogy and extension of the theme Nancy! Thank you for this 💛

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  13. Sonnische Avatar
    Sonnische

    I have found this to be true. I’ve taken to reciting my sutras and mantra during the half hour drive to work in the mornings. In addition to seeing the road and other vehicles clearly, I also see colors and details of the natural world on either side of the road I’d missed before. When in touch with my spiritual nature, all is beautiful, even the roadwork and delays!

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      I love this example Sunny. Thank you 💕

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  14. Ann Coleman Avatar
    Ann Coleman

    I think this is true. We tend to see what we expect to see, and once we realize how much we are imposing our own perspective on the world around us, we can also choose to stop doing so. The older I get, the more I realize that paying attention to all the crazy thoughts jumbling around in my mind is important!

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      So true Ann💛 Awareness of our thinking opens up a whole new world of choice … and happiness.

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  15. Carrie Cannady Avatar
    Carrie Cannady

    Truth about our human experience…beautifully articulated, dear Val. 💕

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you dear Carrie 💕

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  16. Jewels Avatar
    Jewels

    So good Val. Thank you for sharing ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Julie 💛

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  17. IreneDesign2011 Avatar
    IreneDesign2011

    This is so very true, Val 🙂
    I think, it helps to stay open-minded and to deny ourselves to swim in bad thoughts. If we choose to view life as a challenge and not as a problem, we get much more help to just go on.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      We said Irene 💕

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  18. misifusa Avatar
    misifusa

    I think the choice is ours and we can choose again at any time. That’s the beauty of free will and the fact that we can decide to be happy or sad, to concentrate on what ails us or what fulfills us. It’s all up to us, isn’t it? Great reminder Val. ♥

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      What an empowering comment. Thank you Yvonne 💕

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  19. dancinginthemaze Avatar
    dancinginthemaze

    So very true and so very important to understand this. Well articulated! “you can decide how to look at it.” is easily one of the most liberating things I was ever taught, tried, and continue to practice. Thanks for sharing this!!!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      I am so glad this supports you on your journey 💕

      Liked by 1 person

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  20. Lynn Thaler Avatar
    Lynn Thaler

    I enjoyed your post. I tend to see life as a comedy hidden in the mundane.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      thank you Lynn 💛

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● About Me

My name is Val Boyko, a dual citizen living near Philadelphia, originally from Scotland.

This blog came to life one morning in 2013.  I woke up with these words in my mind:  “Life is a series of highs and lows. Be grateful for the highs. Be graceful in the lows. And find contentment in your Middle Ground.”

Find Your Middle Ground blog started to explore, reflect, ask deep questions, share insights about awakening, and connect with wonderful people like yourself. Thank you for being here and being such an inspiration.

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