Mindset Matters

I came across this quip by an unknown author:

“Once the rain is over, an umbrella becomes a burden to everyone. That’s how loyalty ends when benefits stop.”

It reminded me of an all too common occurrence that most parents will have with their kids.

Whenever we left to go someplace, our kids had to pack their things. It was non-negotiable.

But as soon as something more exciting came along, we’d find ourselves holding their toys, their coats, their ‘must-have’ items. Couldn’t leave without it, but quick to cast it aside the moment something new caught their eye.

From an early age, we are quick to dismiss anything that’s not immediately useful. 

Sound familiar to you too? 

Once the rain is over, an umbrella becomes a burden to everyone.

But the umbrella isn’t anything more than an umbrella. The burden isn’t the object; it’s our mindset that labels it as ‘useful’ or ‘unnecessary’ in that moment.

It’s our perception that decides when something is a tool or a nuisance.

And we have control over that.

The ability to shift our perspective is powerful.

This leads into another saying; “How you do one thing is how you do everything.”  A reminder that our actions reflect our mindset and shape our experience. If we consistently focus on burdens, we will forever find more burdens. If we start shifting our mindset, even in small amounts, we can begin to see positive impact. 

Umbrellas are great for the rain. But when the rain stops, we can be upset about carrying them, or we can choose to see them in a different light. When we stop focusing on their ‘original’ purpose, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities. 

An umbrella isn’t just for rain.

They can offer shade from the sun.

They can shield us from the wind, or provide us with a sense of play in the wind.

It can even be used as a cane when closed up.

Whether it’s serving a functional purpose or not, it’s not about what the object is, it’s about how we choose to see it. It always has been.

And if we can reframe something as simple as an umbrella, imagine what else we can transform by just changing how we view it.

Henry Ford knew a little about this when he said:

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”

The next time you feel weighed down by something that once helped you, try and remember to ask yourself: is it time to cast it aside, or just to look at it differently?

🔗 Let’s connect! linkedin.com/in/scottschoeneberger.