A lot of things fascinate me. I guess I’m easily fascinated. And amused. I laugh often and easily, and sometimes at inappropriate times. I can’t help it, really, life and the livers of it simply amuse me.
One of the aspects of life that fascinates me the most is people’s attitudes. You can take two individuals – living under the same situations, same conditions, and sometimes even the same roof – and they’ll often have two completely different attitudes about life. One will think life is a wonderful long party – one that requires all the dancing, singing, and merriment that you can muster. They’ll see the hope in even the most dire circumstances, a rainbow at the end of every storm, and reason to smile when others think they’re whacko for doing so. The next person will think of life as a long work day – one that needs to be plowed through like Sherman plowed through the south. They’ll resent others who aren’t plowing along beside them and secretly wish the dancers would fall into a pit. A deep pit. (What these people don’t realize is that even if we did fall into such a pit, we’d just party on. Heck, it’d be a funner party than ever without the plowers!)
Attitudes. They determine so much, yet we tend to overlook and neglect them. Bad on us.
I just finished an outstanding book, 101 Exercises for the Soul: Simple Practices for a Healthy Body, Mind, and Spirit
by Dr. Bernie S. Siegel. In the book, Dr. Siegel offers 101 exercises that can, honestly, help transform your life. He starts off with a bang in precisely the right place – with our attitude.
…if your attitude is negative and your mind is filled with worry and fear, it takes its toll on your body, mind, and spirit. In fact, by spending all your time creating a vision of an unhappy future, you help create that future. Remember, your thoughts guide your decisions, and negative thoughts lead to negative decisions. Nothing is solved by visualizing the worst outcome, but much can be accomplished when you desire and intend to achieve the best possible result. Optimists may not be more accurate about life – whether interpreting the past or predicting the future – but they live longer than pessimists. pages 5-6, 101 Exercises for the Soul: Simple Practices for a Healthy Body, Mind, and Spirit by Dr. Bernie S. Siegel
I believe this is why it’s so important to believe in yourself, your dreams, and your prayers. When you have the right attitude – a positive one – you’ll keep doing everything in your power to make your dreams come true. You’ll keep praying, keep believing, and your soul will lie its head on a pillow of Faith and cover up with a blanket of Hope.
However, when your attitude is negative and pessimistic, you’ll all but give up. No one ever wins ANYTHING by giving up. Nowhere worth going – that’s where a negative attitude will take you, dump you, and leave you.
I highly recommend clicking the following link and reading more about this wonderful book: 101 Exercises for the Soul: Simple Practices for a Healthy Body, Mind, and Spirit by Dr. Bernie S. Siegel.
It’s a very, very special book. Grab a copy, then sit down to transform your life. Be sure to have a pen and paper handy for exercises. You’ll really get in touch with yourself during these exercises. You’ll find wonderful qualities you’d forgotten you had! You’ll also uncover a few rotten habits you’ve picked up along the way. Don’t fret, though – Dr. Siegel will help you cast them aside!
I’ll end with possibly my favorite passage from the book – again about attitudes and the importance of wearing the right one.
Over God’s desk there is a plaque that reads, “If you go around saying I’ve got a miserable life I’ll show you what miserable really is. And if you go around saying I’ve got a wonderful life, I’ll show you what wonderful really is.” – Dr. Bernie S. Siegel – 101 Exercises for the Soul: Simple Practices for a Healthy Body, Mind, and Spirit
The following is a guest post by Courtney Phillips.
With so much being discussed about the economy on a daily basis in major media outlets, it can sometimes be difficult to keep a positive attitude. Many people are going to their jobs wondering when the proverbial axe will fall. While there are a great deal of people who don’t find satisfaction with their current careers, many find ways to look beyond the cubicle for inspiration and motivation.
Figure Out What You Love
This may be a time of relative adversity, but necessity is the mother of invention. Economists are noticing trends growing in entrepreneurial fields that were once the domain of mainly business people. As the needs of the public change, the people providing goods and services will no doubt change in kind. Figure out what it is you really love and start working toward making that change.
Practice Gratitude
Think about all of the people out there who’ve lost their means of gainful employment. If you are fortunate enough to still have a job, you should be thankful for that each day. Things could definitely be worse; you could be standing in the unemployment line or looking at a foreclosure notice. Try to keep things positive and be grateful for what you are able to have and do because of the job you have.
Find the Silver Lining
Every time something gets you down in your work day, try to find an aspect of your job that counters the negative. It could be a co-worker’s funky ties or an inside joke at the office. Keep photos of family and friends nearby to help you through the tough spots. For added inspiration, place photos of future vacation destinations or some of the places you’ve visited in the past.
Take a Deep Breath
Deep breathing is always pleasurable because it satisfies one of your body’s most basic needs. Inhale deeply through your lungs while relaxing your diaphragm and then exhale through you mouth slowly for twice as much time. Doing this ten times when stressed can help you to relax and center yourself before going on about your day.
Smile Often
Attitudes are contagious—especially negative ones. Try your very best to maintain a positive attitude and smile often. You will soon see others smiling back and this one gesture can foster a pleasant environment of respect and positivity. Rather than spreading the poison of gossip and negativity, be happy and smile as often as you possibly can. You’ll notice remarkable results when you do.
This post was contributed by Courtney Phillips, who writes about the online colleges rated. She welcomes your feedback at CourtneyPhillips80 at gmail.com
Thanks Courtney! “be happy and smile as often as you possibly can.” is wonderful advice for everyone. It makes life go down so much easier!
Hermessianex was a Greek poet who lived so long ago that Christ wasn’t even born yet. In fact, he lived about 400 years before His birth.
I’ve searched for information about Hermessianex high and low, but apparently this is all we know about him: He was Greek. He was a poet.
I became interested in him after I read (and loved) one of his quotes: “As Within, So Without.” The man didn’t mince words, did he?
Many of us, whether we’re parents, teachers, self help publishers, coaches, or saviors of the world use a multitude of words about attitude, character, and self worth. I, personally, have logged endless hours of talking with my daughters over the years as well as written long-winded posts and articles. Blah blah blah blah coffee blah blah blah chocolate blah blah blah polar bears…. (I do me so well.)
We point out the fact that we become what we think about. We harp on the fact that our habits make us who we are. We most definitely drive home the importance of having a positive attitude. We whip out every conceivable power verb and colorful modifiers we can think of.
Must make the point known. Must make the point known. We are to the world what we are to ourselves…
While we’re talking in circles, the simple, beautiful truth rests in history. Four words say everything we’ve tried to say – and say it so much better.
As within, so without.
Thank you, Hermessianex. We all need those words. All 4 of them.
