ATTITUDE
by: Charles Swindoll
"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 church... a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day 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% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.
And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes."
My thoughts...
I've always been a happy person.
To no credit of my own, happiness has always come very natural to me. Don't get me wrong, I worry obsessively, I'm highly sensitive and of course, a perfectionist. But still, I am happy.
God has placed so many blessings in my life that I constantly worry I'm not givng "back" enough (another blog, another time). But happiness by itself fascinates me. If you think about it, babies are so easy to love and so refreshing to be around because they are simply: happy. It's almost as if a baby is transparent in showing adults the capacity of happiness that God originally gives us. It's never taken away...it doesn't just run out. It's up to us, to know it's there. And that is exactly what the message above is conveying. Compared to most, I have had an incredible life...there is no reason why I shouldn't be anything but happy. And of course, I've had my share of trials...and life circumstances that on paper, seem frightening. Nothing though, with the magnitude to take away my happiness. I'm human and react to things that are miniscule to life's meaning, but again, am human and eventually, move on.
Still, I can't help but recognize that as one gets older, the ability to not only be happy but "stay" happy can be more difficult. The people that have wronged you, the times you were cheated, the times when bad things happened to good people, and the times you weren't appreciated for the good things you did. That weight alone is depressing. It's freeing to know that it's not my job to keep track of rights and wrongs; God knows exactly the person you are and exactly what you've faced.
Maybe if I truly know my capacity for happiness is unlimited, then I can prepare myself, prepare my reaction to remain positive. Whether it be a stubbed toe or the unspeakable, knowing my happiness is in my control, not circumstances, life isn't so scary. And even being a naturally happy person, you cannot avoid life's trials but I have seen the most amazing people in the world persevere over the most heartbreaking circumstances. It's inspiring. So I can't help but say..."this ain't nothin"....
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ReplyDeleteGreat thought bits here, Kel. Unfortunately it's not as common to find a purely happy-bound person-- too many people seem to dwell on what is wrong rather than appreciate what is right. Of course you would do the latter...I heart you :)
ReplyDeleteLove this Kell!! :) and... yes, I do still check in on the blog every now and then :)
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