BecomingGolden

Mindset is the internal lens through which we view the world — our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes that shape how we interpret experiences and make decisions. It is not just about positive thinking or blind optimism; it is about the posture of our hearts and minds in the face of life’s challenges. While tools and resources matter, what ultimately determines how far we go in life is the way we think. The right mindset can turn setbacks into stepping stones and uncertainty into opportunity.

This truth is at the heart of a powerful message by Joel Osteen, a globally recognized pastor, speaker, and author. He leads Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas — one of the largest congregations in the world — and is known for his uplifting teachings on hope, purpose, and the redemptive power of God. In his sermon “Finding the Lost You,” Joel speaks to something many of us can relate to: the feeling that we have lost touch with our best self — not because of lack, but because of life.

We often assume that people who succeed have better tools, better connections, or better opportunities. But more often than not, it is not the situation or the resources that make the difference — it is the mindset.

Life has a way of shifting us. There was a time we were hopeful, confident, and full of dreams. Then came disappointments — maybe a job you did not get, a business that never picked up, a relationship that ended unexpectedly. You make a few mistakes, lose a little faith, and little by little, you step back from who you once were. But here is the truth: the person you were — the passionate, joyful, daring version of you — still exists. You have not lost them. Maybe you have just lost connection with the mindset that brought them to life.

It is easy to blame the boda business, the small shop that did not grow, or the savings group that fell apart. But two people can be in the same exact setting and come out with two very different outcomes. Why? Because of how they choose to think, to see, and to act. One sees a wall. The other sees a stepping stone. One is driven by fear. The other is fueled by belief.

When we experience failure, we tend to go into hiding. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. We disengage. We stop showing up fully — at work, in our families, even in our friendships. We let fear masquerade as wisdom. But hiding never brings healing. Isolation might protect us from more hurt, but it also shuts us off from joy, connection, and purpose.

Mindset is not about ignoring pain or pretending everything is fine. It is about choosing how we respond. It is deciding not to stay in the ditch, even if we drove ourselves there. Like a car that obeys the direction of its driver, life often follows the path of our thoughts. If we keep steering toward doubt, discouragement, and defeat, we will keep finding ourselves stuck.

The good news? You can turn the wheel. You can shift your perspective. You can choose to believe again — in your purpose, in your growth, and in the possibility of something better.

So maybe today is the day to ask: Where are you? Not just physically, but mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually. Where is the version of you that once dared to try, to hope, to build, to love? That version of you is not gone — it is just waiting for you to change the lens.

Mindset is everything. It is the soil from which all things grow. You do not need a new life. You need a new lens. And from there, everything can change. The words of Joel Osteen remind us that our best self is not buried beneath failure — it is simply waiting for the right mindset to bring it back to life. Take a moment to reflect, recalibrate, and reconnect. Sometimes the greatest transformation begins not with better tools, but with a better thought.

For more information, watch full video: https://youtu.be/PCRFr20Aqqo