As coaches, we routinely tell our players that Attitudes are contagious. Moreover, the only two things you can control are your attitude and your effort.
Attitude is defined as: manner, disposition or feeling, a tendency or orientation of the mind. Simply stated, an attitude is an habitual way of thinking. When thoughts become action, action becomes behavior. Behavior is an outward open display of your attitude. Attitude is the power behind the action. It is the foundation for life.
God’s blessings are all around us everyday. How often do we neglect the beauty of a sun rise or sun set? Do we really appreciate our time? A 2013 Gallup Poll showed that over 70% of Americans hate their jobs or are negative about their careers. How many people would like to have a career or even a job?
My wife Dana and I had some tough conversations with our young daughters. The last one we had together was about the doctor’s prognosis for Dana’s life. All along Dana’s battle with cancer, we told our girls the doctors are trying to heal momma. Once the doctors had said we were out of treatment options, Dana calmly said, “I need a time frame.” The doctor’s response was chilling, “One to three months.” We told our girls individually to allow for their own emotional processing. Once each one calmed down, Dana told them, “This is not an excuse for bad behavior. This is not an excuse not to do your best at what ever you do. This is not an excuse to mope around. If anything, you have to be grateful and happy for all that you have. Know that I love you. I will always love you.” An amazing sentiment from a woman who’d been given 1 – 3 months to live.
It seems as if people faced with their own mortality provide us left behind with a an attitude of gratitude for life. My wife Dana did it.
I watched ESPN broadcaster Stuart Scott state, “When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and the manner in which you live.”
Jimmy Valvano said, “To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week; you’re going to have something special” Coach Valvano concluded his speech by saying, “Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever. I thank you and God bless you all.”
I have found three studies that demonstrate the significance of a positive outlook on life. In a study of nearly 1,500 people with an increased risk of early onset coronary artery disease, those who reported being cheerful, relaxed, satisfied with life and full of energy had a one-third reduction in coronary events like a heart attack.
Those with the highest risk of coronary events enjoyed an even greater risk reduction of nearly 50 percent. This was true even when other heart disease risk factors, such as smoking, age and diabetes, were taken into account. The study’s lead author noted:
“If you are by nature a cheerful person and look on the bright side of things, you are more likely to be protected from cardiac events. A happier temperament has an actual effect on disease and you may be healthier as a result.”
A Mayo Clinic Study, concluded in 2000, demonstrated from a 30 year study of 839 people who were pessimists had a 20% increase of death than the optimist group.
Another study at the University of Pennsylvania tracked 120 men who’d suffered a heart attack. After 8 years, researchers found that 80% of the pessimists had died of a 2nd heart attack compared to only 33% of optimists.
We need to try to have a positive attitude as if our live’s depended upon it, because they do.
Bible scriptures state:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”
John 16:33
The word “will” is the operative term. It doesn’t say you may, might, could or possibly have trouble it says, “In this world, you will have trouble.” This scripture also goes on to say, “take heart!” As Rocky said, “Life ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. Adversity and tragedy are part of this world. Take heart and have peace. Try and find God’s plan in it all.
“Considerate pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
James 1:2
Being positive is not always easy but it is a choice.
Perspective and Silver Linings 