How To Change Your Mindset from Negative To Positive.

 Many moons ago, I lived in Berlin for about a year.

I was lucky enough to get a research grant for my arcane Kant research. At the time, I was investigating his views on the possibility of thought, experience, and morality.

I even got a Professor at the Humboldt University, a surprisingly chill German dude named Tobias to be my host and invite me to his weekly colloquium in German philosophy.

It was a great experience for me in many ways. I discovered how to change your mindset from negative to positive.

 

I got a chance to do philosophy among a very different kind of community.

And I presented two papers there that were very well received!

I had to navigate all the German bureaucracy (and so practice my German a TON).

But more than that.

I used my time there as an opportunity to grow up in some key ways.

After almost five years of my whole life being basically nothing but philosophy (in philosophy grad school), I started opening up to new experiences.

To new dimensions of life.

I grew as a person in ways that I'm really grateful for By learning How To Change Your Mindset from Negative To Positive wasn't always easy. I had to put myself out there.

REALLY get out of my comfort zone.

But by doing so continuously, I was rewarded with magical experiences and insights.

Some of the most powerful experiences of this kind were in some ways incredibly simple.

They consisted of simply trying to connect with strangers by looking them in the eye, smiling widely at them, and greeting them with a genuine "Hi!"

Don't get me wrong. It wasn't always a smooth experience.

Especially at first, it could be awkward.

I wasn't used to interacting with strangers at all.

I was mostly used to just being with my thoughts (and with other philosophers who are not especially smooth people, to say the least!).

But...

Much to my surprise...

It was also surprisingly easy for one to have a really heartwarming and genuine interaction with a stranger.

The kind of genuine if minor interaction that can turn someone's day around.

By pushing myself to greet them.

I learned that if you make an effort to recognize the common humanity in other people's eyes.

If you make an effort to reach out with positivity and genuinely connect (even for an instant)...

It resonates with people.

People feel it.

People smile back WIDE. Almost surprised at themselves sometimes.

Some would even stop by and chat with me for a bit.

And some for a while...

Like a dude from Provence in France who was so surprised to learn that I was a Mexican philosopher working in Berlin that he opened up his backpack, took out two glasses and a bottle of wine out of there and insisted we sit at a table in the park and discuss Montaigne (this was clearly the time before the pandemic).

Most interactions were shorter than this. But no less sweet.

I could tell often that people's day got better just from our small, kind interaction. I would see them approach with a heavy, furrowed brow...

And see their faces light up into a light and open smile.

And that would, in turn, leave me with a distinct heartwarming feeling of joy.

Now I know How To Change Your Mindset from Negative To Positive though it may seem intimidating to suddenly start putting yourself out there with strangers.

Indeed. I once felt that way too.

I am definitely an introvert.

I found it hard to put myself out there.

Especially with strangers.

Especially in a foreign country.

But rest assured.

You can start small.

And you can build on that fast. Like I did!

Try the following month-long buildup plan (I used):

Week 1: Walk around the world with open body language (shoulders back, back straight, open chest), make eye contact, and kindly nod to people you walk past. Do so as you recognize the common humanity you share with them in their eyes.

Week 2: Same as Week 1 but add a full and genuine smile. Do so as you recognize that you are walking past someone with an unfathomable story who has challenges and strengths you'll never get to see.

Week 3: Same as Week 2 but add a clear and distinct "Hi!! to go with your smile and nod. Be confident. Don't hesitate. You're greeting a fellow human being whose path you are crossing as you each go on your quest.

Week 4: Same as Week 3 but stop if you feel like it when you say "Hi!" and see if they stop and want to chat to. Let your intuition and judgment guide you here. If their vibe is one that you feel might jibe with yours, go for it. If not, no worries.

If you're wondering what to say, tell them they seem cool and the reasons why you think so (something about their style or way of carrying themselves). You can then ask them where they're going and (if they want to talk about that) why they're going there.

With that, you now have a clear path to getting meaning and joy from connecting with strangers. One that you can implement all by yourself (as I did).

You can do this even now in the pandemic. Even if you're social distancing. And even if you're wearing a mask.

Smile with your eyes (and your heart). And people will see it.

Greet with a clear, confident (and kind) voice. And people will hear it.

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