The Donut Guy Blog

There are so many tropes about how we see the world. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The grass is always greener. Is your glass half empty or half full?

I usually land on the half-full side. I like to be positive and look for the brightness in things. That perspective guides much of my life, but as I grow personally and professionally, I’ve realized how important it is to think outside that single frame.

It’s easy to stay locked in one perspective. If you’ve faced hardship, your outlook is shaped by that. Even smaller things—like getting a headache every time you eat chocolate (who could that possibly be?)—can change how you see something. Chocolate itself isn’t bad, but your experience creates a negative frame around it.

Games work the same way. Trick-taking card games may share mechanics, but themes change how we experience them. One might feature axolotls in cowboy hats, another cooking utensils making a dish. Different players respond differently, depending on their own frame of reference.

Frames of reference are often justified by reality. Our lives are shaped by circumstances we don’t always control. Take work: if there are no jobs in your field nearby, you can’t just will them into existence. But how you frame the situation matters. You might see it as a failing of yourself or your profession, which isn’t constructive. Or you can reframe: look for how your skills translate, explore opportunities your region does offer, or decide to move. The frame shapes whether you feel stuck—or see options.

This is where positivity and negativity matter. In my experience, approaching problems positively leads to better outcomes. It helps us set goals, treat ourselves kindly, and treat others well along the way. Negativity, by contrast, often spreads and festers. And that mood feels especially present across the U.S. right now, in many aspects of life.

But positivity alone isn’t enough. If we ignore negatives, we risk being naïve—caught off guard by challenges we could have anticipated. Not everyone acts in good faith, and positivity won’t magically change that. The best frame blends both: hopeful, but realistic.

So what do we do? A simple exercise is to pause and shift your frame, even briefly. Look for positives or negatives you hadn’t considered. Think about the perspectives of others in the situation. Talk it out with people whose outlook you value. Just as negativity spreads, so does positivity—especially when paired with preparation.

Funny enough, I started this post thinking only about how frames shape games and work. Writing it shifted my own frame. That’s the point: don’t be afraid when your perspective changes. Sometimes it pushes you out of your comfort zone in good ways—like volunteering, joining a local group, or simply learning from older folks eager to share wisdom.

My challenge to you: take a moment to see through another frame. Not every perspective will fit you, but exploring them will leave you better informed—and better equipped to shape your own life, and the lives of those around you.