Did You See The Bear?
Did You See The Bear?
Do you remember the video of players passing a basketball to each other, asking you to count the number of passes?
If not, watch this before you keep reading:
Did you see the moonwalking bear?
If not, you’re in good company. Unless you knew what you were looking for, almost half of the people who watched that video didn’t see it.
When you know there is a moonwalking bear, it’s impossible not to see it. Psychologists refer to this as “inattentional blindness”, missing obvious things right in front of us if we’re not looking for them.
On the flip side, when you look for something specific, you see it all of the time. Time to buy a new car? When you decide on the make and model you want, you’ll start to see that car everywhere.
Between our brain’s negativity bias, our propensity to magnify the negative and minimize the positive, and inattentional blindness, we are missing a huge percentage of the positive moments and experiences in our lives. Throw in 24 hour news coverage and social media, and you have a recipe for cynicism, frustration, and anxiety.
Fortunately, you have a superpower that can change the way you see the world. Experience-dependent neuroplasticity is your brain’s ability to change based on your experiences. Our brain is continually growing and changing well into our nineties.
Getting better at looking for, savoring, and sharing good experiences inclines your mind in that direction. Research has found that keeping a gratitude journal or thinking of 3 good things that happened each day forces you to scan for the positives.Those that did this repeatedly for a week were happier, more grateful, and had higher levels of optimism than those that didn’t, even after they stopped the exercise.
This doesn’t mean you wear rose colored glasses and pretend like the negatives aren’t out there, but you can wear gratitude glasses and find the good within it.
Just like you probably have a “to-do” list, make a list of the good things about your job, your relationships, and your life. I have a sign on my bathroom mirror that says, “What will you look for today?” as a reminder to look for the good things in life.
When you make it your intention to find kindness, compassion, humor, and goodness, you are way more likely to find it.
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Anne breaks down the daily habits and skills needed to grow and cultivate RESILIENCE.
We love to say, “When things settle down, I’ll…” ⌚️
Instead of waiting for life to calm down, try asking: How can I find calm in the chaos?
Have you ever walked into a room and felt the tension before anyone said a word? Or been around someone so happy it was impossible not to smile?
That’s not just you being sensitive — it’s science.
A study by Facebook found that emotions are so contagious that simply scrolling your newsfeed can shift your mood. The more negative content you consume, the more negative content you share, and vice versa.
Every time you walk into a meeting, a conversation, or even your kitchen at the end of a long day, you are setting the emotional tone. People will take their cues from you.
This week, try an experiment: Before your next meeting, carpool line pickup, or tough conversation, pause.
Ask yourself: What emotions do I want to spread right now?
Because whether you realize it or not, you are contagious.
More about Contagious Emotions in this month`s blog. Link is in my bio! 💬
Every setback, every lesson, every messy middle moment has been preparing you for what’s next.
Growth isn’t a straight line — it’s the collection of tools, skills, and scars that make you stronger the next time around.
You’re not back at the beginning. You’re building from a stronger place. 💪 #mindfulmonday
You made it through the week! Celebrate your wins, focus on what you’re grateful for, and enjoy your weekend. Cheers! 🍸
Reminder: Adaptability isn’t about forcing yourself to “like” stress or change. It’s about knowing how to lead yourself through it. 💪
The real measure of success isn’t perfection — it’s growth.
Success isn’t about getting it right the first time.
It’s about showing up, learning something new, and getting a little better every time.
Change isn’t a final exam — one wrong answer doesn’t mean you failed.
Growth looks more like rehearsal:
🌱 Try something new.
🌱 See how it feels.
🌱 Adjust.
🌱 Try again.
You’re not failing if you’re figuring it out. You’re practicing. That is success.
