An attitude is, “a mental position or feeling with regard to an object”. In other words, our attitude is related to our outlook on life and how we view situations that come our way. Our attitudes will affect the way we view things, whether for the good or for the bad. Like the individuals in this story.
The noted English architect Sir Christopher Wren was supervising the construction of a magnificent cathedral in London. A journalist thought it would be interesting to interview some of the workers, so he chose three and asked them this question, “What are you doing?” The first replied, “I’m cutting stone for 10 shillings a day.” The next answered, “I’m putting in 10 hours a day on this job.” But the third said, “I’m helping Sir Christopher Wren construct one of London’s greatest cathedrals.”
Every day we make decisions that affect our attitude. It is more up to us than we realize. It’ s not up to our circumstances. Right in front of us is the choice. We can do something about our attitude.
4 ways to have a right attitude
(these are adapted from Chris Hodges sermon “Good medicine“)
1. Make the choice every day.
Most of us make the choice from time to time to have a right attitude but we need to make the choice every day. We need to choose to have the right attitude every day. Our attitude will not take care of itself. Most of us think that our attitude is not our fault because life is just what happens to us. The truth is: Life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% of how you respond to it. We can’t always control what happens to us but we can control how we respond to what happens to us.
2. Develop a high appreciation for life.
This is our life’s philosophy. We can see the glass as half empty or half full. To develop a high appreciation for life we need to learn to be grateful in everything. No matter what we are facing we need to remember that there is always something to be thankful for.
3. Find something positive in everything.
It is easy to have a right attitude when everything is going great but when things are not great we need to find something positive. We need to learn to retrain our minds to look for the positive instead of the negative.
4. Turn everything over to God.
Too often we try to handle the things that life throws at us by ourselves. We need to give everything over to God and when we do, we are promised that “the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds” (Philippians 4:7).
Which of these do you find the hardest to do?
It’s easy to get caught up in daily task-grind that often blinds us from the bigger picture of what we’ve doing, Kevin.
But it’s important to take time every day to put our efforts into perspective, know where we’re going and why. And be thankful that we can.
This is the kind of attitude that can be uplifting and put real focus and energy into the trivial and arduous tasks we must undertake. It allows us to have a bigger understanding of and greater enthusiasm for the overall process we are engaged in.
David Merrill 101 recently posted…Solo Ad Secrets | The “Pay Way”
Great thoughts David!
Thanks for sharing.
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Looking back at 2012
Wonderful story and illustration. Our attitude affects everything and though we try, we can’t blame it on anyone but ourselves. Great practical advice, Kevin. Thank you.
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Jason Stasyszen recently posted…What Are You Dreaming?
Thanks for sharing Jason!
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Hi Kevin, I know that I don’t do all those things all the time, and I also KNOW that I should lol! Sometimes, it’s not so easy. The hardest for me is to let everything go to God, or the Universe as I say it. I’ve always been a “doer”, and getting into that inspired action state instead of doing things because I know they have to be done, is tricky for me!
Thanks for the great reminder Kevin!
Julieanne van Zyl recently posted…For your MLM Business why use this simple business model?
Thanks for sharing Julieanne!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…The Touch of the Master’s Hand
Nice to see you here Julianne!
Lori Emmons recently posted…Compromised Conditions Are Reason Enough To Charge Onward
It’s an amazing thing to grasp that the supernatural gift from God of freewill is available to anyone to have the choice to have a good attitude and ultimately use it to acknowledge God and His Son for who and what they are. It boggles the mind. It is the one thing that allows us to live above instinct. Good one. Thanks to Jason for linking it up.
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floyd recently posted…THINGS CHERISHED
Thanks for shopping by and sharing your thoughts Floyd!
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Great points. We don’t have to be tossed around by our circumstances. We can always choose, right in the middle of them, what attitude we will have. Will we react…or respond? I’m afraid that sometimes I react, but God has been teaching me to respond, and find His peace even in the middle of chaos..
Thanks for sharing Julie!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…Looking back at 2012
Terrific advice Kevin. I’m so darn “positive” that I’ve been accused of being naive. That used to bother me – and there have definitely times in my life I’ve been oblivious to some of the bad things going on around me simply because I don’t look for that stuff. The way I look at it, I smack into obstacles and have to occasionally take a detour just like everybody else, but I never let it get me down, bounce back quick and almost always find a way to learn and grow from the experience. So, I’ll take naive any day, thank you very much
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marquita herald recently posted…Are You Ready to Stop Being Afraid?
That is an awesome attitude to have Marquita!
Thanks for sharing.
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Kevin,
Thanks for sharing this little piece of wisdom. I find myself most needing to hear #4. I’ve always been a very talented, self-sufficient person, which has many benefits, yet sometimes prevents me from relying on God. This is a mistake. He has foresight and resources I can’t even fathom, and he only has love and my best interests at heart.
Letting go and letting God is the best thing I can do right now.
All the best,
Trent
It is definitely easier to say than do though.
It is sad how often we forget how great our God is.
Thanks for sharing Trent!
Kevin Martineau recently posted…What are you putting off doing because it isn’t convenient for you?
Impelling share Kevin.
Its assuredly the attitude and not just the aptitude that determines the height we achieve in life. Over a period of time now I have taught myself that happiness is a choice and now whenever I am in a bad situation I know that it’s up to me to find the good and to be happy regardless of what’s happening around me.Thanks for the share.
That’s a great way to live Purnima!
Thanks for sharing.
Kevin Martineau recently posted…What are you putting off doing because it isn’t convenient for you?