Daily Creative: Joyful Attitude

How joyful are you?  Are you an optimist or pessimist?

Do you practice an attitude of gratitude?

Our days are really determined more by our attitudes than our circumstances.  It’s not about what happens to us, but how we respond to our circumstances that makes our lives fulfilled.  Even though our days can be stressful, frustrating, and certainly not as we planned, we can still practice being grateful for what we do have and what is truly important in life.

I know you’ve heard it before, but what we often prioritize our days or even lives doing, isn’t what brings us joy and fulfills our lives.  We are all designed to make a contribution to our world and often we miss our calling.  We know when we are not in our “sweet spot” and feel unhappy, passing that frustration on to others.

Can you practice being grateful for what is in your life today?  Don’t worry about what you don’t have, focus on all of the things that make life rich for you.  What do you have to offer? Who can you build a relationship with?  Who has a need that you can fulfill?  We are designed to contribute, what is your calling? 

Even when circumstances happen to us that seem less than ideal, there is usually a learning moment, some insight, or even a bigger plan to what is happening.  We can be thankful for many things, even in the midst of a storm.  Our character is built on it and our attitude is shaped by it.

A wonderful friend’s son was injured severely by a fall off of a roof when he was just 1 year into college.  He was paralyzed from the chest down.  As he lay in his hospital bed, he told his family and friends how lucky he was.  He was still alive and he could breathe on his own, unlike the man in the bed next to him.  Over the last few years, he has been in and out of the hospital, had countless surgeries, and many setbacks.  He learned to cope with his challenges and move forward, all while maintaining his positive attitude.  Through it all, his faith never wavered, but grew stronger.  Still in a wheel-chair and unable to walk, he went back to college and earned his engineering degree and is currently designing projects that enhance the lives of other physically challenged adults.  He is an inspiration to everyone who knows him.  He has built his reputation on being a man of integrity, heart and gratitude. 

I challenge you to make a list of 50 things that you are grateful for today…. it’s amazing how much we take for granted.  Take time to notice all you are blessed with.  It will change your day.