Attitude |
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Attitude |
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One morning just before 6 a.m., I walked past Susie Bass’ desk and noticed a sign with the words:
“Attitude is everything, pick a good one”
I don't usually give much conscious attention to such signs, but that one really got me to thinking. By the time I had walked upstairs to my office I felt as though I had just heard one of the best sermons of my life. After completing a few routine tasks, I walked back to Susie's desk with pencil and paper so I could write it down.
I guess, more than anything, the word "pick" stood out to me. That word implies that I have a choice in the matter. After some thought, I realized that I actually do. I asked myself, "then, why do I occasionally pick a bad attitude?" The word "assumption" came to mind - sometimes having little inside information, I get upset after I make an assumption about someone's motives or lack of concern for me. I have lived long enough to find that the majority of people who cause me inconvenience do not do so intentionally and that most of my distress over situations has been unfounded. In those rare cases that I had correctly assessed circumstances, God worked things out for good. So, I reminded myself that I need to be more willing to give people the benefit of the doubt, to not take things too personally, and to take myself a little less seriously. More importantly, I should remember that I cannot control the actions of others or very many circumstances, but I can control my reaction to them.
The saying also reminded me of a similar statement that I read quite a few years ago. (I had to look it up from some quotations I had copied from the monthly "Bits and Pieces" in the early 80's.):
"Men are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of things that happen." -Epictetus
Thank you Susie for sharing such a positive, powerful message.
“Attitude is everything, pick a good one”
?000 Eutychus, The Webservant,
