Techniques To Improve Attitude

"Nature presents us with an infinite variety of attitudes--from gloomy mist to glorious sunshine. Our own moods, whether gloomy or bright, radiate to those around us."

The following information comes from a publication released by the West Virginia University Extension Service. It is called THE WINNING ATTITUDE

The article offers eight techniques to help you adjust your attitude. Each of these are ideas that seem very simple, but they are effective.

1. Employ the flip side technique.

When a "negative" enters your life, flip the problem over and look for whatever humor may exist on the other side. When this is successful, you will be able to minimize the negative impact of a problem on your attitude. Humor is an important ingredient in this technique.

2. Play your winners.

Like a business, you have winners in your life. The more you focus on them the better. All of us have to deal with positive factors (winners) and negative factors
(losers) in our lives. If not careful, we let losers push the winners in the background. Some ways to make your winners more important include:

* THINK about your winners. Concentrate on the positives.
* TALK about your winners. Talk about the happy, exciting things of life.
* REWARD yourself by enjoying your winners. Do what you enjoy.

3. Simplify! Simplify!

Free yourself from complications. An uncluttered focus helps you accept and enjoy life's simple pleasures. Each of us probably has some cluttered areas that we could clear out:

* Unused and unappreciated possessions,
* Too many involvements,
* Career-home imbalance,
* Putting off the little things, and
* Holding on to worn-out relationships.

4. Insulate! Insulate!

Learn to live with certain "no-win" situations that cannot be resolved, thrown out, or ignored. Each of us probably has a way of working out or coping with some of these situations: talk about it, work harder, laugh, share problem with supreme being, or change environments.

5. Give your positive attitude to others.

You can keep your positive attitude by giving it to others. Everyone winds up a winner when positive attitudes are shared.

6. Look better to yourself.

Often you look better to others than you do to yourself. When you have a poor self-image, you are looking through a glass darkly. When you feel you don't look good, nothing else looks good. But, when you look good to yourself, everything else looks better. You may want to adjust your positive attitude through image improvements such as improving your wardrobe, changing your hairstyle or cosmetics, looking healthier, being yourself, or keeping a good self-image.

7. Accept the physical connection.

Most people feel there is a relationship between physical well-being and attitude. Exercise helps keep us out of attitudinal ruts.

8. Clarify your mission.

An individual with a purpose is more apt to have a positive attitude than someone without direction. A purpose in life helps individuals keep focused, provides perspective, and destroys uncertainty.

The previous techniques are a great way to start. They are a great path to a different you that will take you from the negative to the positive mind set. Begin a new journey to a new you.

Attitude In Words

I have been on vacation the past few days and am recharged and ready to start writing again this week. This recent trip was a 'history' trip that I take annually with a few friends. We visit historical sites in a particular area of the country. No different then other years, the friendship and good times with my friends always refills my spirit.

The other good news is that my new book, "Attitude In Words" is now available for purchase. A great daily read for you that will certainly try to motivate and inspire you to greatness. All proceeds go to various charities that are of the kind which help others in life.

Open Road Missions
C3 Center
Pancreatic Cancer Research
Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America

Find a purpose to volunteer or contribute to - it only takes a first step.

Living A Gift

“People so seldom say I love you And then it's either too late or love goes. So when I tell you I love you, It doesn't mean I know you'll never go, Only that I wish you didn't have to.”

I do not know where the above quote originated from but it is a wonderful way to express your love of someone. And for those that read my blog know of my mother's pancreatic cancer, understand the reality of the sickness but know that love can work great miracles. With all of the treatments available, a great doctor and the support of family and friends, she will do well.

The faith that surrounds my family is strong enough to believe that she has a chance to live longer then the odds. So this past week was spent visiting with her, my father and my siblings. I view it as having been given a gift. She felt well during our stay and the love we have always shared grew a bit stronger.

This gift we shared is one that many people never realize until much too late. All of us were 'living a gift' to have this time together. The same should be experienced each day of your life. Try to live this gift which is given to you.

It is a gift of loved ones, of being able to say good morning, good evening and extending your love in many different ways. To live your days embracing those around you and to not let the minor problems in life get in the way.

Enjoy your life and experience the love of all that goes with with it.

Be A Tigger - Randy Pausch

In the face of impossible odds, there will be those that fall and crumble with no belief in continuing until the end. There will be those that take a more positive path and live life to its fullest. As this video reminds us, "you can spend your life complaining or spend it playing the game hard."

Randy Pausch is a person much like my mother in the sense that both have pancreatic cancer. But they are also a like in a way that both are content and positive about their condition. They are choosing to make any remaining time a good one, while fighting for a positive outcome in their individual battle against cancer.

I hope for anyone who is struggling with any of life's stones thrown your way; that you are able to take inspiration and strength from those around you.



For more on Randy Pausch, click on his link. For lots of good information and the ability to support the research to control, contain, CURE this cancer is at Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Be strong, be brave and reach out to your dreams in order to achieve them.