I have never, ever focused on the negative of things. I always

When Sonia Sotomayor declared, “I have never, ever focused on the negative of things. I always look at the positive,” she gave voice to the courage of one who has faced storms and chosen to find the light within them. Her words are not naïve, nor are they a denial of hardship; they are the testament of a soul that understands that in every moment of trial, one has a choice: to sink into despair or to rise with positivity. In her life, filled with challenges from childhood through her journey to the highest court in the land, she has chosen to see not what drags her down, but what lifts her up.

The ancients would have honored this wisdom. The Stoics, who endured exile, poverty, and persecution, taught that suffering itself is neutral—it is the mind that makes it bearable or unbearable. Marcus Aurelius, the emperor-philosopher, wrote that one must not dwell on misfortune but turn it into fuel for virtue. In this way, Sotomayor’s refusal to focus on the negative is not mere optimism; it is a disciplined act of will, a decision to live in the realm of strength rather than weakness.

History gives us countless examples of this truth. Consider Helen Keller, who, though blind and deaf from early childhood, became a beacon of hope for millions. Had she focused on the negative, her story would have ended in silence and darkness. Yet through the guidance of Anne Sullivan and her own indomitable spirit, she chose to look at the positive, to see the world not through eyes but through the soul. In doing so, she transformed her life into one of inspiration and triumph.

Sotomayor’s teaching is also deeply practical. To dwell on the negative is to waste precious energy on that which cannot be changed. It is like staring at a locked door while ignoring the open gate beside it. By turning one’s vision to the positive, one can see opportunities hidden in adversity, blessings hidden in burdens, and strength hidden in sorrow. This way of seeing does not erase pain—it redeems it, giving meaning to what might otherwise seem unbearable.

At the heart of her words lies resilience. To “always look at the positive” is to train the mind and heart to rise again and again, no matter how often they are struck down. It is to declare to the world that one’s spirit cannot be broken by circumstances. This is not merely survival; it is the art of turning survival into victory. It is the path of those who rise from humble beginnings to stand in places of honor, not because the path was easy, but because they refused to surrender to despair.

The lesson is clear: life will bring both darkness and light, but the gaze of your heart determines which will define you. If you seek only the negative, you will live in chains, even when the world offers you freedom. But if you choose the positive, you will walk as a free soul even in the midst of trials. For hope, gratitude, and perseverance are powers that no adversity can conquer.

In practice, this means cultivating the habit of gratitude, even for small things. Each morning, give thanks for one blessing, no matter how modest. When hardship comes, pause and ask: What can I learn from this? What strength can I gain here? Surround yourself with those who uplift rather than those who complain. Train your mind daily, as one trains a muscle, to see the positive, until it becomes second nature.

Therefore, let us carry Sotomayor’s wisdom into our own lives: never focus on the negative, but always look at the positive. For in this choice lies the difference between despair and triumph, between stagnation and growth. The one who seeks light, even in the darkest cave, will find it—and by their light, others too will learn how to see.