Keeping a positive attititude

We don't choose our emotions, they happen to us. However, we do choose how we react. How you choose to react has everything to do with attitude.

Attitude is definitely a choice. Its important to keep reminding yourself of that fact- and even more important to remember to apply it, even in the face of adversity or when times become challenging. I'll share an interesting write-up regarding this- you may have seen it before: Attitude: The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. it is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a school...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will 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 am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes. The last section is so true because our reaction is the only part that we are in complete control of- we cannot entirely control what happens to us.

You have the ability to make the choice to make an effort to make things better or you can sit around and think about what is wrong. Many people focus on what is wrong and what they don't have and in doing so they never get what they want.

Great points Gracie. Attitude is choice, not circumstance. Most people think; I'll be happy (if) or (when)... this or that happens. I feel sorry for them. I think to myself when I hear this; "Thanks for telling me so I don't have to be around you until you get what you are after." This is an extremely limited view of our human potential. I have friends with stage 3-4 cancer who are happier than a lot of people I know. We've all met a few remarkable people who had great attitudes even though they might have been financially down and out or going through real rough times. We can all learn from them. Being positive amidst tough times is not being unrealistic or silly, it is just choosing your intention. You can intend on making things better (which means your future is bright--so be happy today). You can also intend on reveling in your misery with no end in sight. This would imply you are choosing to be a victim of circumstances forever. Clearly, a positive attitude is a better route.