Stuff Happens
The last thing you need first thing in the morning* is for something to go wrong. Not a great way to start the day, but stuff happens.
Maybe you spill your coffee. You get stuck in traffic behind somebody doing twenty in a forty-five. Your phone rings when you’re not in the mood to talk to a soul. It’s enough to put you in a bad mood.
Here’s the thing—most of what went wrong were minor issues. So why develop a bad attitude?
Charles R. Swindoll said it this way: “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.”
It’s All in How You Look at It
Do you ever notice how people react to setbacks with entirely different outlooks?
One will swear it was the worst day they’ve had all year.
The other shrugs and says, “Could’ve been worse.”
Gratitude Keeps You Steady
Now this is where gratitude comes in.
Just yesterday, a loved one told me his doctor found a medical issue and he’s going to need surgery. “That is terrible. I am so sorry,” I said.
But this person replied, “The test was to determine if I have cancer, and thank God, the test showed I didn’t. That’s great news!”
Gratitude slows you down just enough to notice what didn’t go wrong.
Let’s Be Honest for a Minute
This isn’t about pretending life’s easy because it’s not.
Some days hit harder than others. Some problems just work themselves out. However, other difficulties tend to hang on and no amount of positive thinking is going to make them disappear.
But attitude and gratitude give you a way to stay strong. Be resilient. It is your choice to face things head-on or pull the covers over your head and have a pity party.
You may not get to choose what shows up… but you sure as heck get to choose whether it runs the whole show.
Try This—Nothing Fancy
At the end of each day, think about what you accomplished, no matter how small. Consider how you managed to handle a problem. Ask yourself what went right today.
- Maybe somebody made you laugh.
- Maybe something worked out better than expected.
- Maybe you just made it through a tough day—and that counts.
- Maybe tomorrow is already looking more promising.
Do that enough times, and you’ll start seeing things a little differently.
The Bottom Line
A good life isn’t always about changing your circumstances.
A lot of times, it’s about changing how you see them.
Attitude points you in the right direction.
Gratitude keeps your feet on the ground.
*Confession: I “borrowed” the first line from a Willie Nelson song
hang in there, having power over problems, keep the faith, positive attitude, showing gratitude, stay positive, things could be worse
You are Right On, Susan. Thanks for your witness.