Attitude Allows for Anything

Reflection on training the skill of attitude.

Attitude is always a choice. Period. Abnormal psychology aside, there are no exceptions to that rule. Everything else is just an excuse.

Resilience is the ability to effectively function in the face of adversity until eventual recovery. Attitude, especially in the presence of adversity, is the expression of one’s resilience. 

Feeling angry? Sick? Tired? Sad? Stressed? Attitude is still under your control. It’s okay, and even important, to experience those feelings. When those feelings dictate how your treat others or express your character, things become problematic. Will you make mistakes from time to time? Of course. Own it, apologize, and work to improve.

What is your average attitude? Better yet, what is your average attitude during hard times? How long is your fuse until you have an emotional outburst? How breakable are you? Do you need things to be going well or some form of support in order to maintain control of your attitude?

Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times. -G. Michael Hopf