The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, gifted ability, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace from that day. We cannot change our past, we cannot change the fact that people will act in certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing that we can do is play on the one string that we have and this string is, Attitude. I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how I react to it. And so it is with you….We are in charge of our Attitudes.

Charles Swindoll

So strangely enough, this morning I was going through the favorite quotations I have on Facebook under my information. I found this one — and it seems I have forgotten one of my very own favorite pieces of advice. 

I realized that I don’t have any control over other people — no matter how foolish or ill-advised their decisions may be, I am powerless to stop them. All I have power in everyday is myself. 

I believe in the gifts I have to offer to the world. I believe in the value and quality of love I can give to another human being. I believe in real joy and happiness. I believe in the power of second chances and new beginnings. I believe in hope. 

And there is one thing that can determine those beliefs: attitude. “We cannot change our past, we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.” All we can do is find a perspective on my life, your life, everyone’s life that is as healthy as it possibily can be. 

Now if that’s all too “Pollyanna” for you…remember that I’m not saying there is a thing called perfection. I don’t believe that everyday I’ll wake up and feel absolutely wonderful — like I can take on the world. I’m certainly not saying that I don’t have extremely sad moments and disappointing moments. 

All I’m saying is that I can take my power back in every situation. I can own up to whatever is happening around me by choosing my attitude towards it.