MacGyver on CBS.com
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a post taken from the “Motivate Thyself” Archives.
Recently, my wife and I have been watching old episodes of MacGyver, from CBS.com, while we eat our breakfast in the morning. I used to watch it as a kid. It was one of my favorite shows. I just loved how he could turn a lawnmower into an airplane and fly to safety! He always gave you a sense of security, like there was always hope.
Since we’ve been re-watching the episodes I have had the chance to see him from a new, grown up, perspective. Sure, there have been those moments where I’ve been like, “Oh WOW, that was some really bad acting.” Or, “RIGHT, like that would really happen.” But the core of what made the show so enjoyable for me is still there, even as an adult. I think the main reason for this is that, like I just said, with MacGyver, there’s always hope. No matter how bad things look, you just know he’ll find a way to make the most of the situation. He never gives up!
So I guess you could say that this post is about HOPE. Hope is a very key element in staying motivated and productive. Hope is what keeps us going even when we don’t feel we can. It’s that light at the end of the tunnel that draws us. But once we lose hope it’s GAME OVER.
Let me give you an example. (I don’t remember where I saw or read this, but it was probably on another blog or on TV. If I could remember where, I would be happy to give credit where credit is due.) A scientist did an experiment on two rats. He started by putting one in a container of water with absolutely no light to see how long it could tread water, in the dark, before it gave up. I think it only lasted about 3 minutes. Then he put the second rat int he same container of water, but this time with a small beam of light coming in through the top. This particular rat ended up treading water for (if I recall correctly) about 36 hours.
Now let me start by saying that I didn’t like the idea of these animals being forced to drown, but the findings were pretty amazing. Basically, with hope, the rat pushed itself until it couldn’t go any further. But without any hope there was very little effort and then nothing.
I think this is true for all living creatures. This is why depression is so devastating. This is why if you’ve ever had that feeling like it’s all for nothing or nothing matters, you’ll agree with me that it’s a pretty scary feeling. We know, as humans, that without hope, our minds and bodies have a much lesser chance of survival, let alone success.
So I would just like to encourage you to really try to focus on the positives in life. Know that there is always a silver lining and that any situation has potential for good. Always encourage others and you will be encouraged. Make the decision now, to keep your eyes on those things that bring you joy and away from the horrors of this world. There will always be that “car accident situation”. Those bad things in life that you just can’t seem to take your eyes off of. But I am here to tell you that it’s your choice. You can either see the light, know there is hope and keep on going. Or you can focus on all the bad things in this world, lose hope, and eventually give up.
I am not here to tell you to turn a blind eye to those needs around you. There are many situations that are ‘bad’, but need our attention. What I am referring to, like the “car accident situation”, are those negative areas of your life in which you have no control over and yet choose to dwell on none the less. So when your feeling encouraged, positive and driven, be sure to feed off of that energy and make the most of it. But when life takes the wind out of your sails, it is your job to re-group and re-think the situation. Look around you, find those things that are taking away your hope and make the necessary changes to regain your positive perspective. Life is too short to spend it focusing on the negative. And life is too precious to miss out on the positive.
This is so true. I love this post.
What I would also like to point out is that this negativity is contagious. When you are surrounded by negative people, you find it harder to see the positive. I’ve recently ended a friendship with someone who was always in a negative frame of mind. I’m happy to say I have a much better outlook without her negativity pushing me down. Breaking ties with negative people is hard, but I think worth the effort if it means the difference between hopeful and hopeless.
What a wonderful sentiment! That experiment was so inspiring (although, cruel), I’m going to write it down in my development 2009 notebook.
MacGyver was my hero when I was about six. Though, these days I’m leaning more towards wanting to be Buffy the Vampire Slayer. You know, peppy, pretty and able to kick ass in high heels.
@Frances: Good for you! I mean that sincerely, rather than in the sarcastic tone of voice people tend to use when saying those words. I’ve broken several such ties myself, but only after the opportunity presented itself naturally through parting paths. That wasn’t always easy, so to go out of your way and actively making that choice for yourself must be really tough!
Emma’s last blog post..A marriage without television
This may be a rewind, but I’m glad you posted it. It’s really great. I like the story about the mice. Of course I didn’t care to hear about their slow deaths, but it was a fascinating illustration. Mice have similar brain functions to humans, which is why we experiment with them so much. It’s true, sometimes hope is all we need.
Writer Dad’s last blog post..Leaders Begin With Themselves
@Frances: I love your point about being surrounded by negativity. I totally agree that it should be a high priority that we keep far from negative people, unless truly necessary.
@Emma: I’m glad you got something out of it.
I love this: “You know, peppy, pretty and able to kick ass in high heels. ” It made me laugh.
@Sean: Thanks, Sean! That’s an interesting fact you pointed out about mice. It makes the analogy that much stronger. Eric.
Eric,
I couldn’t agree with you more. My goal over the entire Presidential election process was to remain positive and peaceful throughout including the outcome even if it wasn’t to my liking.
In order to do this I never watched a debate. I don’t think of them as positive events. I didn’t want to get caught up in the negativity.
I quit listening to the media and rarely read the paper. Once a week I allowed myself to watch CNN for one hour. I discovered I wasn’t really missing anything except for more negativity I had no control over.
I also prayed for both candidates right up until the end. It worked I remained peaceful.
Also I believe there are more people like us that are doing good and believing in good in the world. A few years ago I volunteered for a week in Mississippi after Katrina. I slept in a cot side by side with more than 200 volunteers male and female. There were volunteers from Mexico and Canada there helping.
I came away thinking I didn’t have any problems only minor inconveniences.
So I couldn’t agree with you more focus on the positive and never give up hope!
Tess Marshall’s last blog post..Embrace Boldness, Take Action & Live
Hi Eric,
Having hope in life is definitely a must. A life with hope means there is always something that we can look forward to.
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
Vincent’s last blog post..How To Be Lucky Using 10 Simple Steps
@Tess: Great stories and examples to backup the posted content. Thanks for sharing, Tess.
@Vincent: “A life with hope means there is always something that we can look forward to.” Well said. Eric.
When I was a kid I was obsessed with The Dukes Of Hazard and The A Team, I can hardly watch them now but I agree that they probably taught us some valuable lessons about finding solutions against the odds when everything and everyone is against us.