You May be the Reason Your Life is so Hard
Better life choices are a result of better attitudes
The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives. ~William James
Do you know people whose lives resemble a train wreck? Maybe you’re one of them. Many people feel that their life is predestined or left to fate and as a result take no responsibility for making better choices. Even more common, is the belief that external circumstance is entirely to blame for the lack of success in building a better life.
Circumstance does not control our life success — choices do
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. ~Oscar Wilde
It would be unreasonable to think that external circumstances don’t affect our lives and, to some extent, the choices available to us. However, many people with difficult circumstances and limited choices manage to live productive and happy lives despite those things. What are they doing differently than you? The answer lies in two words — Attitude and Action. For our discussion, attitude will reflect our perception or perspective, and action will reflect the choices we make.
Before we go further, let’s talk about attitude. Why? Because attitude is the catalyst that determines the actions we take. Which of the following attitudes best describes you?
- Grateful — You’re appreciative and contentment comes easily
- Complaining — Centered on self and easily blames others for current problems.
- Negative — Sees the worst in every situation
- Positive — Looks for the possible good in each situation
- Apathetic — Couldn’t care less
- Steadfast — Active and persistent
- Quarrelsome — Combative and belligerent
- Cooperative — Accommodating, helpful, friendly, and generous
In the above list, there are four good attitudes and four bad attitudes. A person whose life is dominated by bad attitudes will perceive everything in life as dismal, useless, and out-to-get-him. No matter how good life really is, he will feel as though nothing is right.
On the other hand, a person who keeps a good attitude will look for the opportunities, possible choices available, and be ready to take action. They prepare for and make the best decisions they can under any set of circumstances. They look beyond the present and see a better future ahead and are willing to work toward that goal.
I think we can all agree that we’d like to cultivate and keep a good attitude in life because it’s the choice with the best results. Let’s see how we might do that.
changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.
Good attitudes equal good action
Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny. ~Mahatma Gandhi
Have you experienced a sudden reversal or disastrous change in your life? Don’t we all hate when this happens? Things that come at us from out-of-the-dark can turn our lives inside-out and make us feel helpless. Sudden reversals and changes can rob us of resources and opportunities to better control our lives.
Under such circumstances maintaining a good attitude will allow us to endure with a purpose. What purpose? Victory! We will be determined not to be overcome by what life can throw at us but rather, to fight our way through to the other side. And there is always the other side. Life cycles and changes constantly. Down-turns, with time, level out and up-swings follow. With a good attitude, we’ll be able to see the good in our present situation, thankful for what we still have. We’ll also be focusing on the future and what we can do to better our situation day-by-day. We take responsibility and make choices that will improve and facilitate our victory.
Good attitudes give us inner strength. That strength comes from the sure knowledge that if we do nothing, we’ll gain nothing. So we’re willing to work with what we have and maneuver our life in the direction we want it to go. We won’t be content to just drift on a sea of indecisiveness.
Takeaway
Because of our good attitudes, we’ll keep a sense of contentment while in present circumstances and a hopeful expectation for the days ahead. With those attitudes comes inner peace, diminished anxiety, happiness, and self-respect. Keeping a good attitude raises us above our current problems and allows us to see that a much different life awaits us in the distance. It will keep us from being the reason our life is so hard.
Additional Insights
Think of the last situation in your life that didn’t go as you would have liked. Before you jump to blaming other people or aspects of the situation for why it went that way, keep an open mind. Rewind the whole thing and think about your attitude at the very beginning, before any of it even started. Your Attitude Determines Your Outcome
Of course, positive thinking doesn’t mean ignoring all the bad or unpleasant feelings altogether. It just means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way–instead of taking everything as a victim to negative circumstances, you see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. How Your Attitude Determines Your Success
What a great way to improve your life. Attitudes are strong influences that we must examine often. Self-examination will keep us in check, so that we don’t lose sight of our organizing skills. You develop strength from a winning attitude. Building strength of mind and character provides you the necessary tools to rummage through the obstacles to discover ways to challenge the impediments. You stay prepared. You will move ahead, rather than allowing the obstacles to get in the way of your progress. Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude
