What is your most prized possession? Although a positive attitude is one of my most priceless assets, I have not always guarded and protected it. At times I've taken better care of my teeth than my outlook.
Every so often, a personal event will undermine my positive nature. I'm saddened that a family member has died. Or I quarrel with my spouse. Or I learn that a good friend who's returned from Iraq is suffering from trauma and needs to be hospitalized. In those moments, my positive outlook gets squashed like a bug on a windshield.
In addition to shock waves from personal news, sometimes my outlook is diminished because I'm hard on myself. A bit of a perfectionist, I'm driven to accomplish as much as I can each day-- to produce not just quantity but also quality work. When I fail to meet these standards, I am harshly critical of myself, and my attitude droops.
Lastly, I'm influenced by the negative drift in the news floating around me. I see a news report about people who were shot and killed at a salon, and I am sad for the families of those innocent victims. I am also discouraged by the reports of lost jobs, famine and wars in countries whose names I can barely pronounce.
Of course, I know of no way to insulate myself from these events nor would I want to. In a very real sense, they are a part of living. But whether the attack on my positive outlook is a personal shock wave, an inner criticism or negative news, I have to choose how to respond.
Of necessity, I've developed a strategy for attitude renewal. Each morning, I decide to have a great day full of satisfying moments. To make sure I enjoy a great day, I begin by creating a Greatful List. The question is simple: what am I grateful for today? I am amazed at how my outlook lifts once I start itemizing everything that I appreciate in my life.
I also monitor my outlook throughout the day. Attitude renewal can occur at any time or place. It's up to me to notice when repairs are needed. Sometimes all it takes is a little humor. I also find that accomplishing some small task lifts my spirits. Other times I talk out my feelings with my husband. I also resort to prayer. Exercising each day is also essential; without exercise, my outlook deteriorates.
My attitude is revealed in the words I choose, how I look and how I walk. No wonder outlook determines outcome. To succeed in achieving a well-lived life, I must guard this priceless possession. How are you protecting yours?
Photo courtesy of Nicole Jenkins
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