If I were to ask you to look above and tell me what you see, would you tell me that you see the vast whiteness or the black dot in the center? Based on this “experiment” done years ago, 100% of the people, or I would say students stated the obvious. The black dot.

Go ahead and Google it, read the articles and find out that what I am about to share here is nothing like what you read online. I am not going to condemn what those articles state. I am not going to belittle the experiment as I agree with it. In fact, I agree with all of it. I feel that you should be positive and look at the bigger picture. However, I am here to share on the negatives aspects too that those articles seem to forget.

When you look at the picture and tell me you see the black dot, how it’s in the center, probably even describe the size and all, what do you expect me to tell you? That of course you stare at it, because it is the outstanding part that “glares” at you? Why are you focusing on imperfections and issues, when there’s a whole lot of blessings around you? Why are you being negative and only looking on all the things you do not have or have that are bad, instead of being positive and appreciating all the good that you possess? Life is a special gift and we always have reasons to celebrate. The dark spot is so very small as compared to the rest of the white sheet, why magnify it and let it pollute your mind?

I could say all of that, and I think that it is true. However, why be a little cookie cutter and say the things everyone online are already saying? I might as well give you the link to those articles.

I think that it is normal to look at the black dot. I believe you should look at it. Take a real good long and hard look. Why do I say that? I feel the articles are telling you to focus on the positives. Sometimes, when we do that, we are ignoring the negatives and forcing ourselves to purely appreciate what we have. We should look at the black dot, head on, and deal with it. We should address the issues. We will never really be a complete white sheet of paper but by addressing the issues, we are reducing the size of the black dot.

Some issues we have are situations we can get out of. Some issues we have, if we deal with it a certain way, there’ll be consequences that can sometimes be detrimental. We may have some problems we cannot escape from and also some problems are just in our heads. There are endless possibilities when it comes to an issue. Why just focus on the good that you have instead of overcoming the issues one by one?

We should always count our blessings and be appreciative. We should always find the silver lining in any given situation. What happens when you do not actually address the black dot and focus on the white sheet only? You’d think that the black dot would go away. If you ask me, this would be what that would most likely happen.

The black dot accumulates to dots until they make up most of the paper. The white that you are focusing on, becomes significantly smaller. You would think that you are focusing on the bright side of things but you have unknowingly made a lot of things around you sad.

The scary thing is some of us, are already like the second picture. We have ignored our problems for so long, suppressed every negative emotion and are dead set that we are not depressed. We are clinging on to that little white dot with every bit of hope that everything is okay. We do not deal with it or try to reduce the black area as we are zooming in on just the white part. We are afraid, we feel alone but we convince ourselves that we are fine, we are positive and we see the silver lining when we are killing ourselves bit by bit, each and every single day.

You feel bad for feeling bad. When you try and share your problems, you realize that the world has a lot of issues that surpass your petty matters. You focus on the fact that you are blessed to be born into a first world country (which you should be) and you will never have to face starvation or malnourished issues. What are your issues then? Wanting to leave a job because it is killing you to stay in such a mundane environment? Not being able to leave, because face it, in a first world country, money is crucial for sustenance. Not being able to find a new job as it is endless rejections facing your way?

What I shared above are all problems. One is an issue, a lot of people cannot seem to come out of. The other, you think you are unable to get out of. The magnitudes of the situation is different. To some, $200 is a lot, to others, it’s barely anything. The main thing is that $200 is money. Similarly, your problems are problems. Do not dismiss them as unimportant just because someone is having it worse.

There will always be people doing way better than you and people who are stuck being far worse off. You want to help yourself? You want to get out of it? You actually can. Start by addressing your black dot(s).

Take a look below.

Both of it has a dot. One is deemed better and that would be the one on the left. What if I asked you, how would a malnourished child in Africa, India or Syria feel looking at this picture? You would probably say that they relate to the picture on the right. Their situation is all bleak and they try to stay hopeful by focusing on the positive that is a really tiny dot.

What if I say without hesitation that you are wrong? In fact, you and I would not know, will probably never know what it is that they feel and relate to them because we have never been and would probably never be in their situation. We can help, we can do all that we can but we will never ever have to walk in their shoes. Their situation may be deemed as the right picture. What if when asked, they see themselves as the picture on the left? What if when given the paper, they do not comprehend what you are asking, and eat it out of hunger? What do you have to say to that?

Every one of us have problems. We have had them since we can remember. Scientists say that your brain is not fully developed and will not be until the age of 25 or so. Do you think your ability to rationalize issues and deal with problems would only come after this age? I doubt so. The sooner you find the balance between a lot of your issues, the sooner you are able to stand on a scale of negativism and positivism, the better it is for you.

You will be on a see-saw almost all your life. You would think you should stand on the positive side and tip its scale. You are not eliminating all negativity, just declining it long enough till it comes hurling towards you. Learn to walk towards the center of the see-saw and take your time finding your balance. It is a see-saw, it’s bound to tip. Ride it with confidence and go up and down, but always return to find that balance. Get that balance, you get some form of inner peace that you have not had in years.

So now ask yourself, is pointing out the black dot, really all that bad?

Show: Adventure Time

Characters Involved: Jake The Dog & BMO

**(The picture shows, Jake and Finn The Human)**

Scene: Season 5– Episode 37 {Box Prince}

xoxo