The Power of Attitude

by Brandon Jubar

It is probably safe to say that we all want to be successful in life, regardless of what we may say outwardly. Each one of us desires to be a good parent, spouse or friend; a well-respected peer or co-worker; a key employee in an excellent career. Every man, woman and child on this earth has, at one time or another, aspired to greatness. Yet only a few tend to achieve it.

So what is the difference between those who achieve greatness, and those who have resigned themselves to a life of quiet mediocrity? What is it that allows a select few to consistently reach new heights, while the rest of humanity plods along?

At a very basic level, it comes down to one thing: Attitude

Definitions and Laws

The definition of attitude is "the position or bearing as indicating action, feeling or mood." It is a combination of our actions, feelings and moods that dictates how the world perceives us. And it is that perception, more than any other single factor, which shapes the way in which the world treats us.

Our attitude towards the world, and everything in it, tells the world what we expect in return.

Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31)

I'm sure that Jesus truly understood the power of attitude. If we want people to act towards us in a certain way, then we should act towards them in just that way. If we want people to feel a certain way towards us, then we should feel that way towards them as well.

The same is true for our mood. We must convey outwardly the mood we expect in return. This seems so simple, so obvious -- yet, day-in and day-out, countless millions of people harbor a negative attitude towards the world, and then wonder why the world gives negativity in return.

Give, and it will be given to you. (Luke 6:38)

One of the universal laws of nature is the law of cause and effect. Every cause has a corresponding effect. Thus it is that everything we say and do causes something in the world. Every action, feeling and mood has a corresponding effect.

Therefore, you and I are responsible for the quality of our lives. We are producing causes all day long, each and every day. The world can only produce a corresponding effect.

Our attitude determines the quality of our lives. Give negativity to the world, and the world will give negativity in return. Lavish positive actions, feelings and moods upon the world, and that is what we shall receive in return. "Give, and it will be given to you."

No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. (Luke 6:43-44)

An Attitude Adjustment

I will venture to guess the many people start their day with their attitude in neutral -- neither positive nor negative. They begin each day with a "wait and see" perspective, ready to react to whatever the world has in store for them. They live each day doing nothing more than reacting to their environment, and never take an active role in shaping it.

These people would probably have a difficult time believing that they can exercise any control over the world around them. They are the ones who say, "If people would be nice to me, then I would be nice to them."

It is no different than the man sitting in front of a cold fireplace, waiting for some heat. He wants the effect without creating the cause. What he doesn't understand is that, if he wants heat from the fireplace, he must put wood in it and strike a match. It has to start somewhere. There must be a cause.

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)

Just change your attitude.

It all sounds very simple -- and it is! Unfortunately, it is not always easy. Like any other skill, this one takes a great deal of practice in order for us to become proficient. Yet we are lucky in that we have Christ and our fellow Christians to help us in this endeavor.

To start with, you should look around at the people in your Parish community and find a role model. How does that person act? What do they seem to feel? What kind of mood do they convey? And of course, the ultimate role model: what would Jesus do?

Once you know the type of person you would like to be, it is then simply a matter of acting as that type of person would act. Consciously do it, every day.

By the time those actions have become habit, you will feel the way that that type of person feels. And then your mood will fall in line. You will have changed your attitude. And in so doing, you will have taken back control of your own life! It all comes down to the power of attitude.

Life Applications:

How would you describe your general attitude?
If you could have any type of attitude you wanted, what would it be?
What is keeping you from having your ideal attitude?

Copyright 2003-2009 by Brandon Jubar
All rights reserved.