What colour glasses do you have on? There is a saying "looking through rose coloured glasses." It is usually referred to when someone is only looking at the positive and not “reality.” I remember being reprimanded by a teacher for seeing life through rose coloured glasses. She wanted me to see life and the world through her eyes—dark, overcast glasses. That was her “reality.” It is revealing to me to look back and see people who had so much, but whose reality was dark and dim, so they had lives and outcomes that were dark and dim. I've also known people who looked at life through rose coloured glasses and were happy. They had much less, yet their lives were filled with laughter, joy, and fun. Why?

Why is “real” to some people, pointing out the negative, the problems, and the conflicts? Is this “reality” more valuable than the successes, the solutions, and the peace?

I spent a lot of time in my life focusing on the negative, the things that weren't working, and you know what it got me? More of the same. Focusing on the negative and the problems, the so called “reality,” got me more of the same.

I always leaned to classes, lectures, tapes and books that were motivating, but “reality” always pulled me back. My internal dialogue went something like this:

Of course they are happy, look how successful they are.

It is easy for them; they've never dealt with the issues that I was dealing with.

They have more . . . education, flair, money, poise, and the list went on.

I found lots of excuses: they're men; they're not a minority; they're thin; etc.

I added “reality” to my thoughts:

I'm stupid, fat, ugly and the list went on.

Then I changed. I read, I studied, I transformed. I found coaches and support groups, and I started to have faith and believe. I decided to put on my “rose coloured glasses.” I liked that “reality” better. I liked how I felt when I told myself: I'm smart, sexy and beautiful. I loved how I felt when I decided to see what others saw in me:

I'm successful.

I'm happy.

I'm in love.

I have options.

My family and I have a roof over our heads, clothes to wear, food to eat.

I am me. I'm funny, supportive, creative, hard-working, dedicated and passionate.

I make a difference in people's lives.

Put on your “rose coloured glasses!” Life is so much richer with them on!

Look at your team, your job, your genius, your family, your body, your future, your past. Now, look at them through “rose coloured glasses.” Reality is in the eye of the beholder. What you see is what you get! So get that it is all you. It is your reality—no one else's! Live well, see well, be well. Talk about your “rose coloured” world, so you grow roses in your life.