Attitude—A Choice
Most of the difficult situations we face in our lives come from the decisions made by others. Our reaction to those situations will help to determine our view of life in general. And, possibly, our quality of life.
We have a choice. We can choose to blame others for our situation. Or we can choose to look for ways to make our situation better.
Having hope is looking forward. Blame is looking backward.
We have the choice to look forward with hope for better circumstances or accept our situation as being unchangeable. That is an attitude, and it is our choice.
I recognize that disappointments in our life can come as a shock, such as a job loss, a divorce, or a child with a drug problem. However, our reaction to those disappointments is a choice that affects us depending on whether we choose to hope or blame.
The Parameters of Life
We all want to live a long and happy life with good health. However, we have some limitations. We have parameters and boundaries.
Our happiness must not come at the expense of someone else’s happiness.
Our health is not automatic. We must make good food and drink choices. We must choose to exercise. Our body wants us to make good choices.
Employers determine our ability to earn an income by hiring or firing choices. If we become self-employed, our clients have the same choices. We have the choice to work with intent and to improve our skills, or not.
Marriage and divorce are choices. Although only one can choose to dissolve a marriage, it takes two to live the commitment. One cannot rule in a marriage. We all have skills and can complement each other. That is what makes a strong bond.
Our faith and hope are greatly affected by our belief in God. That requires us to believe that we were created and that everyone has a soul which lives beyond this mortal life.
That belief is an attitude that can affect your view of the events in your life. Prayer is an act of faith. That is a choice to put a situation in God’s hands. Most situations depend on choices that will be made by others, which are out of your control. Maybe God can help others make good choices.
The Bad with the Good
Each day provides an opportunity for action and choices. Our use of time is determined by how we plan and how much we are distracted.
If we allow our past disappointments to affect our decisions for planning our future, then we have little hope for improvement. They become a distraction to reason for good choices.
You will have some bad days, but you will get through them. Your attitude, your reaction, will determine how well you get through the bad days.
Your faith and hope for better days will help you have more good days than bad days.
You have many years ahead of you. You need to be patient and hopeful and have faith that better days are ahead. Then, do all you can do to make that possible, including remembering to pray about it with humility.
Being humble means that you recognize that not everything is in your control. Faith and hope will help you feel more confident though.
Be thankful when you have good days but be aware that there will be some bad days mixed in.
Work on Your Attitude
What comprises a good attitude? How would you describe it?
Early in our life, our attitude can be affected by how our parents and friends treat us. Then, our successes or failures in games and other activities may affect us.
At some point though, we must make ourselves aware of our attitude and how it affects our relationships with others.
My concept of a good attitude may differ from yours. But here are a few thoughts to consider. First, nothing can change the past, so let it go. Second, your chance to change your future begins today. Third, treat others as you want to be treated. That is the Golden Rule for good reason!
Not all decisions are easy. But if you use a similar base for reasoning, you can raise your chances for better decisions. Better decisions will come from a better attitude.
Therefore, working on your attitude will be an important part of you building good life skills.
Since I blog with the goal of helping you build a better mindset for money, I must include attitude in the discussion. Your mindset for spending decisions is greatly affected by your attitude.
If you want better relationships and a better financial foundation, you must work on a better attitude.
Make a Choice to be Happy
Will you choose to learn from others? Will you choose to read about things you need to know, or will you assume you know enough to get along on your own?
There are many sources where others are sharing information. But you need to filter that information.
You may get joy from certain activities or from being around certain people. Common interest can help relationships.
The choice is yours to seek out what may bring you joy, what you will consider fun.
What can you do that will make you feel happy? Read and listen to others but remember their interests may differ from yours.
Try various activities. That is the best way to know for yourself.
You will have more friends if you listen well. And you will find out more about yourself when you listen to how others live and the experiences they have. Learn what they did wrong and don’t do that!
We raise our chances for a happy life when we avoid mistakes. Listening to the experience of others will help us to avoid many mistakes.
There are choices to be made. Choose to be happy!
A Seriously Fun Life
I smile a lot. I chose to smile because I get a lot of smiles back!
I know there are serious choices to make, like what legal documents and what insurance coverages to have, but most of life is about relationships.
You have family. Some of us have siblings. Those family gatherings at holidays and events can enhance those relationships.
You make friends in school and at work that can last for years. They can add to the joy you experience in life.
Work can feel like work, or you can find work you enjoy. That is a choice to pursue.
With the right attitude, you can have a seriously fun life. So, work on your attitude!