Every day we walk around interacting with people and media and every day we have some sort of reaction to them. We may feel tense, frustrated, elated, sad or a range of different emotions not even knowing how we got into this state. I’m going to relay two different scenarios to highlight the missing link that affects our moods.  

Version 1: Take a moment to just settle into a comfortable position. Now, imagine the following scenario and just pay attention to your thoughts, feelings, and emotions as you continue. Imagine that you have just been criticized by a colleague and are really feeling upset and down on yourself. You are walking down a familiar street and get a sense for the sights, smells, and sounds of where you are. Now, imagine you see someone you know on the other side of the street, this is someone you are fond of. Take a moment to see that person there.

You turn to smile at this person and wave, while the person doesn’t wave back, but just continues on.

What’s going through your mind? Notice any feelings or sensations in your body.

Breathe in, breathe out…

Version 2: This time, you have been praised by a colleague for work that you put a lot of effort into it and it has really paid off. You are feeling light on your feet. You are walking down a familiar street and get a sense for the sights, smells, and sounds of where you are. Now, imagine you see someone you know on the other side of the street, this is someone you are fond of. Take a moment to see that person there.

You turn to smile at this person and wave, while the person doesn’t wave back, but just continues on.

What’s going through your mind? Notice any feelings or sensations in your body.

Breathe in, breathe out…

What happened?

Most likely you had different interpretations for each version. In version one, you may have though the issue lied with you. In version two, you may have thought the other person had the issue. Our interpretations are mood dependent and because the interpretations of the same factual …