New Attitude
"Isn't it true that when we receive an invitation to an event, we are ecstatic to put on our best clothes? We will search through our closets in the hopes of finding something to wear before becoming frustrated and reluctantly deciding to go into a store to find the perfect outfit. We sometimes make decisions to impress others, to make a bold statement, or simply to feel good about ourselves. We spend more time than necessary looking for a nice pair of shoes to complement our overall wardrobe selection, and we quite often become restless as we sit in the beautician chair to get that fancy hairdo to add the finishing touches to what we believe will be our best look, before heading home to get dressed. We shower, put on some make-up, then our clothes, and spin around in the mirror a few times, smiling from ear to ear, before deciding on a few accessories to complete our look and heading out the door. WE have dolled ourselves up and are ready to go to the event and look spectacular while socializing with the many other guests who were also invited.
Then, out of nowhere, someone cuts us off in traffic on our way to our destination. This causes us to slam on our brakes, and our purse with all of our personal items spills over onto the car floor, and before you know it, we're fussing and yelling, completely disgusted by what has just happened. Our once-joyous persona has abruptly changed, as has our attitude, and not for the better. The funny thing is that we were so focused on getting outside together that we forgot to check the most important aspect of our overall appearance - our attitude! If this has happened to you, don't feel bad. You are not by yourself. Many people are so preoccupied with their outward appearance that they rarely pay equal attention to the attribute that can make or break our overall presentation.
Every day, we have countless opportunities to have a positive or negative attitude about what is happening to or around us. We may not be able to control the situation, but we can certainly control our attitude toward it. Even on our best days, a bad attitude can ruin the entire day. That is how life is designed. Even if we have the right to be upset about something that has occurred, we must remember that our attitude determines our altitude. What could have been done differently in this situation, you may wonder? Perhaps not allowing the actions of others to influence our own. Or perhaps we should just take a breather and pull over to gather our belongings and shake off what happened. Better yet, while getting dressed, take a moment to pray, asking God to adorn us with his peace and grace as we prepare to go out. Any of the previous responses will suffice; however, combining all three responses will undoubtedly help to ensure that we maintain a positive attitude no matter what circumstances arise.
Our attitude determines how far we excel not only in the big things but also in the small things we encounter on a daily basis. Taking a few moments each day to check our attitude can have a significant impact on the course of our lives. This will eventually allow us to see situations from a different perspective, especially situations over which we have no control. So, the next time you get dressed to go out, whether for an event or not, take a few extra minutes to dress not only your outward appearance but also your attitude. Be prepared to adorn it as well. You will find that it will prove to be vital in your life.