Meanings that We Give to Things

Here’s another short lesson including two of many people’s favourite – shopping and Harry Potter. 

Yep, you heard it right. You already know that I like Harry Potter and I don’t absolutely love shopping but I don’t hate it either. I mean shopping is fun if you go shopping for yourself 🤷‍♀️

So this friday I went shopping and got some really cute t-shirts. One of them included an adorable blue Harry Potter t-shirt with a Hogwarts symbol that I found hidden in the back.

When I came back home, I tried all the clothes and wore the HP t-shirt for way longer than others, skipping around the house. I was tremendously glad that I got my hands on the gem and was super satisfied.

Tired of putting up with my extra energy and cheerfulness my mum finally spoke.

“I get it that you like it and it’s cute. But at the end of the day, it’s just a t-shirt.”

And I think – yes, fair point.

But then I go, “What if you had a t-shirt with Tony Robbins on it?” 

(For some context – Anthony Jay Robbins aka Tony Robbins is an American author, coach, speaker, and philanthropist. He is known for his infomercials, seminars, and self-help books including the books Unlimited Power and Awaken the Giant Within and my mother is a huge fan of him. She has even attended one of his seminars in-person.)

In response to my question, she straightened up her posture and started walking with pride. 

“Exactly!”, I said.

In my mind, I thought – that my mom was the same person, and a t-shirt would still be a t-shirt, with Tony Robbins or without.

But what would have changed would be the meaning mumma would give to the t-shirt (and even I gave to the HP t-shirt). It was how we felt that changed our perspectives.

Ain’t that the case with all things?

Things are what they are. But everyone gives them a different meaning and feels accordingly. How you feel about sleep may not be what someone feels about sleep. A small kid thinks of sleep as a compulsion he or she does because they’re parents force them to, but you may see sleep as your ultimate comfort and your escape mechanism.

And I feel that it’s an advantage. You are given a blank slate and you can make whatever you want out of it; instead of going to square one and making your own thing.

We have the power to change how we look at things and take action accordingly. Situations are purely based on the perspective we see them with. A situation remains the way it is – you have to decide whether it’s win or a loss.

Take a guess at what’s my Hogwarts house. I think it’s gonna be easy for Potterheads to catch it but let’s see. I wanna look at what house you people think I am in.