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CHOICES | 2016 AUTUMN ISSUE
ATTITUDE DETERMINES
ALTITUTDE BY JOAN S. PECK
I
t wasn’t too long ago, I was in a predicament where I was unhappy with circumstances and found myself in a gloomy mood. As I sat there, I had to chuckle when I swear I could hear my mother clearly say, “You are not going to get what you want unless you change your attitude, young lady!” Although she passed many years earlier, it is amazing to me how she and mothers all over the world have the power to impart words of wisdom that stick with us throughout our lifetimes and later come to us in many ways as reminders.
As I thought about what she said, I tried to remember when I first learned what it meant to “change my attitude.” Obviously, it had to do with my behavior – not acting in a more grateful manner for what was about to take place or had taken place. Not really having to do with perception, necessarily, but more like speaking out in the proper manner. Then, this came to mind, “It’s not what you say but how you say it!” And that is attitude, my friend! Attitude means approach and how you approach life in all aspects determines your altitude and height of good living.
I found this in my research and share it with you because I believe this anonymous piece says it better than I can: What Am I? I am seldom considered, though I do more to influence everything about you than virtually any one thing in your life. I often control the time you get up in the morning, the time you go to sleep, what you eat and drink and the very thought that runs through your head. I can make you either happy or sad, loving or hateful, cheerful or remorseful,