“Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices.” – Robert Rathe.
I have an image I found online that I often use where two men ride on a bus and are seated on different sides. One man looks sad and is looking at the side that faces a mountain. It seems dark and dreary, very depressing. The other man is smiling, he seems hopeful. What he sees is the bright, cheery sun and a beautiful landscape. Each man physically displays what he is seeing. I often think how easy it would be for the man looking at the dreary mountainside to turn his face towards the sunny and bright side of the scenery. The other man could just as quickly focus on the gloomy mountain instead of the glorious view.
These men are on the same journey, but each has chosen what to look at and allowed their perception to affect their mood. How we view and respond to a situation also makes a difference. Our attitude affects our response and our mood.
As we journey through our lives, let us be mindful and live with gratitude and an attitude of joy, reflection, and hope. Our path will face difficulties and challenges, but our philosophy will help us overcome those challenges more productively. We can learn from those challenges or be defeated by them. What side of the view will you focus on as you journey through life?