Attitude
I am realizing more and more each day that attitude shapes everything in my life.
I spent my Thanksgiving in a house where there is an occasional shout or whine or cry, but in general, the people are happy and have a good attitude. There was no complaining about what wasn’t right, just lots of compliments on the food and thanks to everyone for chipping in. This is entirely different from my past couple of holiday meals.
I also did a ton of dishes and ate olives and tried every dish that was put out on the table. This is a giant leap for me. I mean, I have always hated doing dishes. And I have never eaten a green olive before today. And I always, always have stayed away from certain dishes because I was fearful of trying them. What if they were horrible? Then, as I watched the 6-year-old fight against eating anything that was on the table because he “didn’t like it,” I realized that there was a 6 yr old in me who was telling me that I didn’t like these things and stay away from them.
So, first, I did dishes. Mainly, because it was one of the few ways I could really help out. I know my way around that kitchen. I know how the family likes to wash their dishes. So, I could do that. And low and behold, I didn’t hate it. I was helping out. I felt useful. And, all of the sudden, it wasn’t such a horrible chore anymore. I am not going to say I loved doing the dishes, but I felt good about doing them.
Then, there was a big bowl of marinated olives on the table as a snack, and I decided to try them. I have looked at the foods I eat, and I realized that I really need to expand my palate and try new things if I want to grow into eating more healthy. So, I just popped one of those olives in my mouth, and it was fantastic. Yummy to the core, I ate a bunch more. Probably too many by the time the day was over.
By the time we got to dinner, I was really feeling good. I took a bite of every dish that was set out on the table. Even the roasted Brussels sprouts. And I liked it all. Even the roasted Brussels sprouts. I ate way too much again, but this year, I am enjoying it. Yeah, my tummy hurts, but it was completely worth it. I will work it off tomorrow.
Attitude
A good attitude can bring people together. A good attitude can imbibe ugly chores with a sense of accomplishment. A good attitude is worth its weight in gold.
A bad attitude will pull people apart. A bad attitude will sour even the happiest of occasions. A bad attitude will make everything more work.
So, I am choosing to practice having a good attitude. I am not yet very good at it, but I will continue to practice and make it better. I am working on making work not so much “Work.” I am practicing feeling good and loving it. I am practicing a good attitude toward myself and toward the things in my life that might be stretching my patience.
I implore you, try practicing a good attitude. I know it is hard and that is why it is a practice. But if we all decided to try to have a good attitude, even when times are rough, I bet the world would give us less to have a bad attitude about. So, after you read this, I challenge you to decide to practice having a good attitude. Then tell me what changes for you. I bet your story is similar to mine.
Wishing you a good attitude for the rest of your days!