Perspective Sets the Temperature of Life: Adler's Holism

Introduction: Days When the World Feels Particularly Cold

Some days, the world seems so warm. The smiles of passersby feel affectionate, and the blowing wind feels refreshing. On the other hand, some days the world looks terribly cold and heartless. People’s expressions seem blunt, and you feel a loneliness as if you are the only one isolated.

Did the world suddenly change between yesterday and today? No. The world is the same. The only thing that has changed is ‘my mind.’

Adlerian psychology advocates Holism, which views humans as a single integrated whole that cannot be further divided. This means that the mind and body do not act separately but are closely connected and influence each other. Today, through the theme “Perspective determines the temperature of life,” we will talk about how my subjective interpretation can change a cold reality into a warm one, or vice versa.

1. The Heat of the Mind, the Temperature of the Body

We often use the expression “getting heated up” (getting angry). When we get angry, our face actually turns red, our heart beat speeds up, and our body temperature rises. Conversely, when we feel fear, we say “a chill runs down the spine,” and indeed our hands and feet become cold and our complexion turns pale.

This is vivid evidence that the state of the mind (spirit) has an immediate effect on the body (physical). Adler viewed the mind and body not as opposites but as an inseparable relationship cooperating with each other. Depending on what perspective the mind takes, even the sensations our body feels and the temperature of reality change.

2. 18-Degree Well Water: The World is Subjective

There is a metaphor frequently cited in Adlerian psychology: ‘18-degree well water.’ Groundwater maintains a constant temperature of about 18 degrees Celsius throughout the year. However, if we drink that water in summer, we feel, “Wow, it’s cool!” and if we drink it in winter, we feel, “Wow, it’s warm!”

The water exists as an objective figure (18 degrees), but depending on my body temperature (situation) feeling it, the temperature of the water is interpreted completely differently. Our life is like this too. The events that happen to us are merely ‘facts.’ Whether to accept those facts as misfortune or happiness depends entirely on my perspective at that point, that is, the ‘temperature of life.‘

3. Wearing Negative Glasses to View the World

When we look at life pessimistically, it is like wearing ‘negative glasses’ ourselves. When wearing these glasses, others’ goodwill is viewed with suspicion as “there must be some ulterior motive,” and small failures are exaggerated into despair as “I knew I couldn’t do it.”

If we maintain this cold perspective, our body also tenses and shrinks. The world feels like a battlefield full of enemies, and we curl up and take a defensive posture. Eventually, the temperature of my life becomes a frozen ice age dropping below zero.

4. Changing Perspective Changes Temperature

But thinking conversely, hope arises that we can change this temperature at any time. “It is not important what is given, but how to use what is given.”

Let’s assume a boss scolded you (fact). Perspective 1: “He is bullying me because he hates me.” -> Anger, shrinking (Cold) Perspective 2: “He is advising me for my growth.” -> Gratitude, motivation (Warm)

It is the same event, but depending on what meaning I give to it, the temperature of my emotions varies vastly. We cannot change past events or others’ actions. But we can change my Interpretation looking at it right now.

5. Conclusion: Choose to Be a Warm Person Yourself

If life feels cold, before complaining that the world doesn’t give you warmth, check the temperature of your mind first. Are you perhaps looking at the world with cynical eyes? aren’t you entering a cold prison yourself and locking the door?

From a holistic perspective, if you change your mind, your body changes, your actions change, and eventually the temperature of the world surrounding you changes. Smile first, offer kindness first, and interpret positively first. At that moment, your life will become a warm comfort melting you on a bitingly cold winter day, just like the 18-degree well water.

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