More Thoughts on Having a Positive Attitude

If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it.  -Jonathan Winters  

People who possess skill and talent, but lack a positive attitude will have trouble using their skills to the fullest potential.  It’s not always the best player on the team or the most knowledgeable person on the staff that gets the promotion, but often it’s the person with the best attitude.  An upbeat and positive attitude will take us farther than we would have ever believed possible.  On the other hand, a terrible attitude will hold us back and ever stand in the way of personal growth, healthy relationships, and opportunities.   

With each passing year I come to better realize the importance of obtaining and maintaining a vibrant and positive attitude.  You want to know something?  I have a long way to go.  I have to daily discipline myself to keep a good attitude and not surrender to negativity, bitterness, and cynicism.  Keeping a positive attitude is hard work; it must be practiced every day.  Our attitude affects how we tackle problems, accomplish goals, and relate to those around us.  Attitude can mean the difference between facing a problem with maturity and strength and falling apart.

How is your attitude these days?  Do you push away people and opportunities that might otherwise enrich your life?  If so, an adjustment in attitude is in order.  Consider these strategies for gaining and keeping a better and brighter attitude:

• Resolve to stop being critical.  Anytime we speak ill of other people we open ourselves up to a host of bitter feelings and angry thoughts.  Countless people have made careers out of criticizing just about everything.  They are critical of their friends, spouses, churches, towns, neighbors, and the food served at restaurants.  Are you acquainted with such a person?  Here is a crucial question: is this person happy?  The answer is, probably not.  I have never met a critical person who was genuinely happy.   

• Learn to roll with the punches.  Life is hard and may get harder.  What will we do in response?  Will we lie down and give up?  A positive attitude empowers us to see past our problems to a brighter day that may be just around the corner.  Keep moving forward as that brighter day can be right now. 

• Get up, get out, and get going.  Stop sitting and moping around all of the time.  Six years ago if you had told me that I would be writing a blog about strategies for overcoming depression and the blues I would probably not have believed it.  If I can overcome depression and learn to successfully manage it, then I believe you can too.  Don’t give up – ever.  

•  Picture in your mind a brighter, happier, and more upbeat you, and then become that person.    

Don’t try climb the mountain today, but take it one step at a time.  If you have a bad attitude you didn’t develop it overnight.  You won’t change it over night either.   

Get started today improving your attitude.  You will feel better and your problems will become smaller. 

It’s going to be a great day!