LIFE'S ATTITUDE

In the field of human endeavor attitude is everything. In every situation many outcomes are possible, and the final result, positive or negative, is much less dependant upon ability than it is on attitude.

Attitude can be defined as a complex psycho-physical state involving the complete emotional composition of the individual, including feelings, beliefs, values and behavior responding in a predictable manner. It refers to a frame of mind of the individual which determines the future action for or against another person, situation, belief, thought or disposition. Simply put, attitude is based on interpretation rather than reality.
Henry David Thoreau very accurately described this state as follows:

“It’s not what you look at, that matters,
It’s what you see.”

In my practice, by way of demonstration to my patients, I often used this simple sketch to illustrate the impact of attitude on subsequent behavior;

“You are standing outside your home and you notice in the distance a person
coming towards you with his hands raised and holding an object.

If you thought the object was a knife, you would quickly turn and run away, but if you thought he was bringing you a gift, you will turn and run towards him.
Notice, his action has not changed, it is your attitude that determined behavior.
Also his subsequent behavior will be affected by your action.

If in fact he was bringing you a gift he would appreciate your coming forward and be disappointed if you ran away.”

So much of life is determined by the attitude we bring to bear in our day-to-day living that it is often considered the very foundation of existence, not only at the individual level, but equally, at the global level. Success or failure, trust or distrust, joy or anger, belief or disbelief, love or hate, even peace or war, all have their foundation on the people's attitude and their willingness to recognize and adapt.

The tragedy of this situation is that despite the undisputed impact of attitude on our life, most of us do not learn to recognize and change our attitudes and as a result continue to repeat our mistakes over and over. If only we could take to heart the profound observation of Scott Hamilton;

"The only disability in life is a bad attitude.”

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Our Attitude toward life determines Life’s attitude towards us.
….John N. Mitchell

The Problem is not usually the problem;
The problem is your Attitude about the problem.
……Author Unknown

People are not disturbed by things,
but by the attitude they take of them.
……Epictetus

I discovered I always have choices:
Sometimes it may only be a choice of Attitude.
……Author Unknown

Your Attitude is more important that your Aptitude.
…….Zig Ziglar