Today: It's All About Attitude
We look at some people as if
they were special, gifted, divine.
No more than you are, no more than I am.
The only difference, the very only one,
is that they have begun to understand
what they really are and have begun to
practice it.
-- Richard Bach
The longer one lives, the more one realizes the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude is more important than facts, more important than circumstances,
failures or successes, and certainly more important than what other people
think or say. It's more important than appearance, talent or skill.
Attitude can make or break a man, a home, a family, or an organization, It
can shatter dreams, ideas, relationships, and children's futures.
Every day, each one of us has a choice regarding not only the clothes we
wear, but the attitude we present for that day. It's the last thing we put
on as we leave our home. People should have a mirror by the door, just to
make sure their attitude is on straight.
We cannot change, as God cannot change, the past, nor can we guarantee that
those we smile at or say "Good Morning" to will be pleasant or even civil,
since anger has a way of inserting its sharp words into pleasant as well as
strained conversations.
The time we spend interacting with people may vary from a few seconds to
hours, and happens under all circumstances, such as walking down the street
or school hallway.
We may think that a head nod, or a brief "Hello" is insignificant, but
think again. As a clown, I have come to realize that those few moments are
what children and people remember.
Two weeks ago, another clown and I were at a Friendly's restaurant in
Concord. We had just finished a parade and were still in costume. We were
tired, hot and hungry. Since it was during that heat wave, many parents
were there with their children, and you know how clowns react with
children. So we made balloons and passed them from table to table until all
the kids had at least one. Just as our food arrived, a small boy, about
nine years old, came from somewhere and tugged at my sleeve and said, "When
I grow up, I want to be just like you." We never did get to eat.
What I'm trying to say is that whether you interact with people in three
minutes or three hours, you leave behind a feeling or attitude of caring or
not caring, of sensitivity or insensitivity, and as one clown said, "You
walk away leaving a legend or a nightmare."
Each one of us should realize that as we walk away, we leave something
behind. What we leave depends on us.
-- Nancy Turner
Throughout your life, always pursue
sensitivity and kindness
as your chosen way
A sense of humor is wonderful;
hold on to yours.
Being able to laugh at the world
will see you through many hard times.
Guard against bitterness and sarcasm;
they can destroy you.
Be yourself; the world will benefit
from your talent.
Search for people who love and
appreciate you for who you are
and who encourage you to improve.
Don't be satisfied with less
than all you can be,
for you have greatness within you.
-- Bill Cross
Every airplane has an "ATTITUDE INDICATOR" prominently located on the
instrument panel. That indicator shows the attitude of the plane--nose up
or nose down. There are exceptions, but generally speaking, "nose up" and
you're going to climb, "nose down" and you are going to descend.
Wouldn't it be nice if people had "attitude indicators?" -- maybe a little
instrument on the wrist that we could monitor to see how we are doing.
Where is my mind directing me? -- because attitude is an important
indicator of where I am headed.
In this regard, Charles Swindol has observed, "Attitude...is more
important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education,
than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, 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 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."
The apostle Paul described his attitude as "forward and upward" (Phil.
3:13). "Hope" is the word for that kind of thinking. Hope is positive
expectation. Hope is a "nose up" mindset. It is an attitude that makes for
positive conduct, confidence and contentment.
Where are you headed today? Check your attitude indicator.
-- Quiet Time Miscellany
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