Attitude Changes Everything

Go into any fitness wear store, and you are guaranteed to see multiple t-shirts and posters advertising the importance of a good attitude when trying to achieve a goal. “Attitude changes everything,” and “Success is 80% attitude, 20% hard work,” are a couple of examples of popular motivational phrases, meant to help athletes and fitness enthusiasts get their heads in the game and push through that last inning or extra set of reps.

Something often overlooked about these phrases, though, is that they can be applied to all areas of life. It is not only the active lifestyle that benefits from a more positive outlook, but also every aspect of life in which hardships are present. It is amazing how much a change in perspective and boost in disposition can transform one’s happiness physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

The cute little phrase, “Your day will go the way the corners of your mouth turn,” holds more truth than one would like. It is much easier to think that a bad day is the result of anything but one’s own mentality. The traffic jam on the way to work, the business meeting where nobody would listen, the pizza delivery driver who took forever to arrive, the lack of care from a significant other — it all adds up, creating the appearance that the world is against a person, that he is the unfortunate victim of life’s cruelty.

However, if the person who experienced a day like this stepped back long enough to consider his day with fresh eyes, he might realize the world was not as cold as he assumed. Maybe the traffic jam was the result of an accident, one which he should have felt grateful to be saved from rather than irritated at occurring. He might humbly note that no one at the meeting would listen because, frankly, his ideas weren’t the best or most important on the agenda that day. The poor delivery driver who took too long was apologetic when he arrived; and the wife who seemed not to care was just tired and a little hurt by the struggles she went through that day as well.

When each seemingly bad event is considered with an optimistic attitude rather than a pessimistic one, it lends a new perspective to the events of the day. And though no one will deny that these daily struggles are hard to bear patiently, imagine the difference if just a couple of them were viewed with compassion rather than harsh negativity.

The other upside to a more positive attitude is that, at the end of the day, one is more likely to consider the good moments of the day rather than the bad ones. For instance, maybe on the same day described above, Mr. Working Man ended up with perfect change for his morning coffee, received a complimentary e-mail from his supervisor, and came home to his wife lovingly waiting for him with a movie for them to watch that night, one she picked up because she thought he would like it.

A positive attitude lets these little moments that made the day good shine out from the daily irritations. More importantly, a positive attitude helps the focus stop being self-centered and instead be other-centered, viewing each person as someone who is also struggling and needing care, rather than being so worried about the care one isn’t receiving.

Each little struggle offered up rather than bemoaned works as a small stepping stone to Heaven; as St. Therese of Lisieux said, “For one pain endured with joy, we shall love the good God more forever.” God allows little difficulties in each life. For many, enduring these with joy is the closest they will get to martyrdom: the daily martyrdom rather than a heroic stand for the faith at the end.

Mother Teresa, who chose to expose herself to a plethora of discomforts daily, said that “We are at Jesus’ disposal. If He wants you to be sick in bed, if He wants you to proclaim His work in the street, if He wants you to clean toilets all day, that’s all right, everything is all right. We must say, ‘I belong to you. You can do whatever you like.’ And this is our strength. This is the joy of the Lord.”

As Catholics, we are called to be known for our joy, to radiate and be a light on a hill (Matthew 5:14-16), rather than be just another negative voice. Attitude truly does change everything, not only in one’s personal life, but in the lives of each person one comes into contact with. Try it for a day: make an effort to see each moment, good and bad, as a blessing tomorrow; and watch as another day at the office turns into a beautiful day, full of positive moments and little gifts from the Lord.