Wrong Side of the Bed

Today I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Literally.
 
When I awoke, my dog was laying on my bed, in my spot, while I was uncomfortably wedged in a corner (sigh).
 
We have been trying to train our dog to sleep in HER bed, but apparently, she quietly made herself comfortable last night while I was in dream land. You can’t really blame her. She has been sleeping in our bed for some time, and moving into her own bed was NOT her idea.
 
Nevertheless, I was in a bad mood. My first thought: our misbehaving dog disrupted a good night’s sleep. Again.
 
But as my feet hit the floor, she woke up, stretched, and immediately started wagging her tail and crawling toward me to snuggle. (She is so cute!)  

Then I thought about what a wonderful companion she is and how she just wants to be near me. She is a wonderfully loving creature and always overjoyed to see me! That made me feel so lucky!

And that, my friends, is a simple example of how the way we interpret the world has a profound effect on our happiness. Interpretations matter.

Let’s unpack that scenario:
 
The facts are simple: I woke up, and my dog was on the bed. There is nothing innately good or bad about the situation, but my brain instantly started to make meaning out of it.

The initial meaning I made from the situation led to grumpiness.
Meaning #1) Dog on bed = misbehaving. Dog misbehaving = frustration.

But then, I thought about it another way and felt happiness.
Meaning #2) Dog on bed = she loves me. Dog loves me = I’m so lucky!

We make meaning out of everything, all the time. No getting around it. This is the way the brain works.

The PROBLEM is that we often interpret the world around us with a negative bias that is NOT serving us well. When we get trapped in negativity, our emotions rise and we become less capable of solving problems creatively and rationally. 
 
The OPPORTUNITY is that we can learn to observe our thoughts, catch ourselves in unnecessary negativity, and choose better (or at least more neutral) interpretations that help us feel better, solve problems with greater ease, and have a more positive impact on everyone around us.

To switch problems in to opportunities through interpretation, try this:

1. Observe your thinking. Several times a day, ask yourself, “What am I thinking?” “How am I interpreting this person or event?” Doing so will help you gain perspective and put a little spaciousness between thoughts and actions.
2. Get familiar with your feelings. Notice your moods and try to understand the origin. Did an unpleasant interaction lead to a bad feeling? Did a great night’s sleep help you awake with a smile? Check in with yourself throughout the day and look for patterns.
3. Be generous in your interpretations of situations and other people. Try to remember that we are all getting through the day just trying to get our needs met. When you encounter someone who is abrasive or unfriendly, try to imagine that the person has probably had a hard day. And when you start thinking negative thoughts, ask, “Is there a different way to see this situation that could also be true?”

As we become more practiced in the ability to observe our thoughts and choose interpretations that help us stay balanced and open-minded, we will be more capable of creating healthy, happy relationships and experiencing all of the joy and possibility that life has to offer.
 
Have you got an example of "switching" interpretations for the better? Please share!