William James, often referred to as the father of American psychology, said "It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect it's successful outcome." How true that rings. Having a positive attitude is a difficult weapon to hold in your life holster, but it is of great value. A positive attitude can lift your day, your dream, your disposition, right back up off the ground. It is that glimpse of hope, hidden within optimism, that is so dynamic, so momentous, even contagious.
Instantly gratifying it is, spouting off negativity, woe-is-me-ideas, complaints, but these are toxic to those who speak them and also to those who hear them. We've all done it, and you feel good when all of that negative energy is escaping your mouth. Really, what you're selfishly mumbling is "I deserve better from this life" (side-note: who are any of us to say that?) And as pride comes before the fall...it doesn't take long before one can see somebody's body position and countenance, the tone in their voice, the fruits of their day, just fall with a negative and overall hopeless outlook, sluggish, unmotivated, dreary, not at all equipped to do something great.
A wise patient of mine was reminiscing some of his memories with me, advising, "It's a great life out there, enjoy it!...." He was not regaling me with over-the-top stories of wild success or jaw-dropping craze, no, he was smiling, chuckling through stories of all the parks him and his family had spent time in, what they did when they came across a bear in the wild, the quirks of his marriage, his children, grandchildren, in other words, this so-called life, right? It is not your circumstances that will make your life a success, but rather, your attitude and how you carry your burdens along the road of life that will yield valued results. Dr. Wayne Dyer says, "the state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind."
Everybody is fighting through this life together, it's a hard life for every one of us, each holding his own burden. Jesus Christ, in reference to following Him, calls life to be a denial of yourself and a taking up of your own cross (Matthew 16:24). He doesn't call for us to grumble about the weight of our cross, or to dump it at the side of the road when it gets too heavy or starts to rub our skin raw, but to take it up, take it on, have strength and hope in bearing it.
And, now for the silver lining: "the HOPE of the righteous brings joy..." (Proverbs 10:28). I don't care who you are, we're all in search of joy. If holding on to positivity and, therein hope, gives your life the gift of not only value but also joy, it is certainly an offer none of us can refuse...
Read more articles by Lisa Kartos or search for articles on the same topic or others.
