Author Shannon L. Alder said, “When you are joyful, when you say yes to life and have fun and project positivity all around you, you become a sun in the center of every constellation, and people want to be near you.” This statement is so true. People want to be around others who project the right attitude about themselves and life. Having the right attitude can certainly open doors to success that otherwise might not be opened.
You can accomplish a lot in life when you have the right attitude. A winning attitude can land you a job or a promotion, and it is key to having healthy and happy relationships. How many jobs do people lose every day because of poor attitudes? How many are passed over for a promotion because of the negative ways they approach work and the people around them? How many relationships fall apart because of bad attitude? It would be impossible to calculate.
I believe that having a positive attitude is just as important as getting an education. It is more important than money, circumstances, failures, success, and what people think, say or do. It’s more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. The wrong attitude will make or break a company, a religious institution, a home. The amazing thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. So, don’t blame a poor attitude on something else like the grouchy co-worker who starts each day grumbling “I’m not a morning person.” Your attitude is a choice. There are no excuses.
We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I’m convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. We are in charge of our attitudes and so we can’t blame other people or situations if our attitude is poor.
A great author in the bible wrote “you must have the same attitude of our Lord.” He always approached people with love, grace, acceptance, and a heart to serve rather than be served. So, if your attitude hasn’t been as good as it could be, make this your starting point. And Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Chaplain Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
