Any fact facing us, however difficult, even seemingly hopeless, is not so important as our attitude toward that fact. How you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You may permit a fact to overwhelm you mentally before you start to deal with it actually. On the other hand, a confident and optimistic thought pattern can modify or overcome the fact altogether. -Norman Vincent Peale, The Power of Positive Thinking
A bitter why me attitude will have you going in the wrong direction. It is much healthier to focus your energy on what you can do.
You may have been unfortunate. You may have even been victimized. You may need to grieve your losses, allowing yourself some time to feel sad, angry, and out of sorts. But there comes a time, when it is in your best interest to accept what is and move toward solutions.
The solution does not mean that you will erase the past. You can’t. But the solution does lie in accepting what is, putting away the bitter why me mindset, and opting for a Given my situation, what can I do now attitude.
Focusing on how things use to be or what you use to be able to do can sometimes create a downward spiral both emotionally and physically. Replacing this paradigm with a solution focused goal oriented mindset can have the opposite effect, creating healthy momentum.
The solution lies within the attitude. It is what it is. What can I do moving forward?
What can you do to improve your attitude? What can you do to improve your life?
nymuse88 says
Very well said and something i need to apply to my life. 🙂
wordsfromanneli says
Very positive advice, Kristin. I like the “Given my situation, what can I do now ” attitude.
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Thank you, Anneli. I always look forward to your comments. Have a terrific week.
Sloan says
Reblogged this on fibrohappiness and commented:
This is a great post from Let Life In Practices! It reminds us that what truly matters most is what is going on inside us — in our minds and in our hearts. We are the masters of these domains; and whatever “fact” is occuring on the outside is irrelevant to the realities we create for ourselves from the inside out.
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Sloan, Thank you for your comments and for reblogging this post. I agree, we are masters of these domains. Have a great week.
Tina Del Buono, PMAC says
Great post Kristin and so well spelled out. It is what it is…and we do have a choice about what we can do now. Thanks for the reminder and have a great week!
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Thanks. You too, Tina.
Shelly says
once I let go of the “I used to be able to do or think or be…” and adopt acceptanceseei”it is what it is while it is”, life has been so much easier. I can see the blessings each day no matter my mood or the circumstances surrounding my life. it is all a matter of attitude-not pollyanna “all’s good all the time” but realistically seeing life as it is and choosing to see the good no matter what.
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Shelly,
Thank you for your comments and for reblogging this post. Have a terrific day!
Shelly says
Reblogged this on onbeingmindful and commented:
the attitude you adopt is a choice you make.
Julianna says
I love this: “the attitude you adopt is a choice you make.” – so true!
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
It is a choice, I agree. Thank you for your kind words. Have a great day!
Julianna says
Excellent…!
Author MelindaTripp says
Thanks Kristin!
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
You are welcome. Have a great day, Melinda.
testdomain says
Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I would like to write like this – taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article is very rare…
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Thank you so much for the kind words! Enjoy your day.
Kristin Barton Cuthriell says
Thanks, Todd. Have a terrific day!