Having the right attitude

It was such a treat to be at Church today to listened to some very special people. The Martinez and the Packers. Sister Packer told of a story that touched my heart when she shared her daughter's struggles with fertility and how she ended up adopting three children. Sometimes I think that a lot of our happiness depends on how well we take hardships. Sister Packer is at peace with her daughter not been able to have children of her own but instead feels blessed that she is able to still be a mother. I love the quote by Martha Washington. I’ve learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances.”


I very much believe that statement to be true.  Our attitude about things is such a major determination of our happiness level in life.  And we control our attitude by controlling the things we choose to think about and focus on each day.  We can’t change that life is full of positives and negatives, but we can choose to think more about the positives than the negatives!  We can focus on the rainbow rather than the rain.  We can focus on the rose petals rather than the thorns. We can choose to spend our time with people who are positive and uplifting rather than people who are negative and drag us down.  We can choose to spend our time giving thanks for what we have rather than complaining about what we don’t have.  We can choose to be happy for the success of others rather than being envious that we haven’t had the same successes come to us.  We can focus on the road ahead of us rather than the path behind.  We can choose to look for the good that exists in every hardship we face, appreciating the lessons we are learning along the way.  We can choose to be happy.  I came across this poem years ago and I loved it!  It’s a great reminder of the fact that we do have a choice:

The Sculptor’s Attitude:

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don’t have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn’t give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!

(author unknown)

All I can say is that I would much rather choose to be happy and positive.  Life is a blessing.  And today I will choose to remember that!