According to William James, known as the father of American psychology, “It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.” Think of it this way, you’re invited to a party. Your first thought is, “Oh no. I don’t know anyone, I’ll be miserable for three hours.” The chances are, according your attitude, that you will have a miserable time. What if you changed your attitude and instead thought, “I’m going to a party. That’s great. I won’t know many people, what a great chance to make new contacts. I’m going practice my listening skills. This person will come home from the party with lots of new contacts and information he/she didn’t have before. Our attitude heading in has a great influence on the outcome
attitude
Daily Inspirational Thoughts ~ Your Cup Overflows
“You are positive, you’ll see opportunities instead of obstacles.”
Widad Akrawi
Daily Inspirational Quotes ~ Let Your Sun Shine
“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”
Anthony J. D’Angelo
Thinking Out Loud ~ Choose to Live
We Always Have a Choice
Today I reflect on Margaret Atwood’s commencement speech at the University of Toronto. Ms. Atwood is a Canadian author, poet, and environmental activist.
Margaret Atwood, in her commencement speech, writes, “When faced with the inevitable, you always have a choice. You may not be able to alter reality, but you can alter your attitude towards it.”
Margaret Atwood’s commencement speech is available here.
NOTE: I am writing this post on August 19th. It is the anniversary day of my wife’s death. She suffered from stage 4 glioblastoma. I knew she was going to die but I held out hope, no matter how small, that she would surprise all of her doctors. When she died I was faced with the inevitable. I had a choice falling into a deep depression or somehow clawing my way through my deep state of grieving and discovering how to live again. Each morning I promised myself that I would prove to my five daughters that I could make it on my own. I wanted it to be strong for them. I knew that someday they too will have to face the same challenge. Holding on to that meaning got me through. When faced with the inevitable, where you can’t change reality, choose to live.
Daily Inspirational Quotes ~ It’s An Easy Choice
“Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable or happy and strong.
The amount of work is th same.”
Francesco Reigler
Feel Good Tip of the Day
Which Circle Demands Your Attention & Energy?
If I drew three circles and labeled them: Circle 1: things I can control. Circle 2: Things I want to control but it involves relationships. Circle 3: Things beyond my control. The first circle would not have many entries. I can only control myself (and sometimes that seems difficult. LOL. Circle two is much larger. It involves family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. Circle 3 is the rest of the stuff like politics, weather, sport teams, mocking birds eating figs off my fig tree. You get the idea. My unhappiness increases in direct proportion to the amount of attention I expend trying to control things in circles 2 and 3. If I let go of trying to control things in circle 2 and 3 and focus on circle 1, suddenly my unhappiness decreases and my happiness increases.
Inspiring Quote for Today ~ A Way to Be
“Have the fearless attitude of a hero and the loving heart of a child.”
Feel Good Tip of the Day ~ I Wake Up Feeling Happy
I wake up feeling happy. I wake up telling the day to get ready because here I come ready or not. I find things usually work out for me. I think it’s more in the attitude I take toward life than in my DNA. I begin and end each day in gratitude. I try my best to connect with other people. My recipe is this: Smile frequently. Lend a helping hand where you can. Constantly talk to yourself feeding yourself with positive talk. Pray with a grateful heart. And, stay away from folks who stay angry and only see one side of a coin. And, don’t pay too much attention to the talking political heads. C’mon, you know it’s going to be a good day. It’s the only one we got.
Feel Good Tip of Day ~ Don’t Give it Away
If you were in possession of rare diamond would you give it up without a struggle? We frequently give up something much more valuable than a rare diamond when we give the power to control our feelings to another. Someone makes a negative comment about our appearance and we get depressed. Someone criticizes our work or something we did, we get angry and carry resentment through the day into the night. Don’t give it away. Don’t let them take your happiness, your peace, or your self esteem. Smile, and think if that’s the best they can do, they’ve got a lot of work to do. Then get on with enjoying and embracing the wonderful life you are experiencing.
Positive Thought of the Day ~ Chose a Life Affirming Attitude
“What you are thinking, what shape your mind is in, is what makes the biggest difference of all.”
