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05/26/2006: "Attitude is Everything"
My son Nick moped at the table the other day as I forced him to finish his homework. He wanted to be on his computer. Well, it wasn’t long before I blurted out, “And if that attitude doesn’t change, there will be no computer for a week!” So much for positive reinforcement and encouragement.
Of the lessons I have tried to teach Nick, I hope the one he learns best is that attitude is a choice. It was one of my college coaches that really drilled that into me and I finally got it. Besides making me happier, a positive outlook has brought me so much in the way of family, work and friends. Although cancer has certainly put it to the test.
Along with choosing your attitude comes choosing your response to a given situation or circumstance. This lesson took longer to learn. So often we feel like our reaction and response is beyond our control. Like it is a “way of being” that is just part of who we are.
Nick was born with an old soul and he has been through and understands far more than I did at his age. It took me until my twenties to learn these lessons and decide to change and I am still working on it. Aren’t we all?
You have always made be laugh - sometimes it was hard to teach with you because we laughed so hard. I liked the fact you kept everything on such a light level. Now you are truly being put to the test with this challenge. I think you are doing great with your positive attitude. This is my first reading of your blog. Love, Ann
Yes, it is the greatest human lesson. And, it is an ongoing process. Life seems to have it's way of testing our "attitudes" often. Nick is lucky to have you for a dad. Janet