Growing Through Challenge - Choosing Better Attitudes

September 9, 1982

It’s is hard to believe the difference in my life during the past three months, from the way I was during

this last winter and spring. The only difference I can see is that now, with God's help, I have been

able to make a positive mental outlook more of a habit . Attitude affects everything!!!

September 1, 1985

I believe that I may have learned more in the last four years than in all of my adult life! Are there a

few basic underlying lessons that I might learn?

Attitude can make or break your life. When I have had a negative attitude, (for whatever so-

called 'good' reason), everything in life seems to turn sour and all joy is gone! When I have

accepted God's help to have a positive attitude (even in extremely difficult circumstances) then

everything takes on new meaning and joy.

I have expected far too much from myself... perhaps more than my Creator has ever expected! I

am learning to rest in His wondrous mercy and grace... (and oh, how I need to 'fire' that internal

'score-keeper')... and enjoy my eternal existence as God takes all eternity to gradually transform

what I am today into what I am becoming day by day. Remember, "the farmer does not berate a

sapling for not being fully grown yet..."

No matter how much money I make or how much security I seem to have, I really only have two

things; this present moment, and my eternal destiny... everything else is the Grand Adventure Of

Trust! Let nothing rob me of my delight in each moment! If circumstances seem to be doing

good, I can delight in that; but if they seem to be going badly, I can delight in another moment to

learn trust! Every crisis is a chance to take a "giant step forward" in trust, and to feel God close

and involved.

I am learning more about all the inherent abilities and natural tendencies in my life, as well as

my personality make-up and the things that I am good at and find somewhat easy.

In addition, I also see the things I am not good at and find very difficult and challenging. The

terrible stress-induced headaches of past months have helped me to finally start making

changes in my lifestyle that reflect these things.

Related to this, I am also learning to stop trying to please everyone else, and rather, focus on the

good things I truly desire to do for myself and others.

This is a tough one, but I am learning to trust God's leading as I make plans the best way I

know how, and then quit worrying about it. I don't believe that it is God's will that I lose even

one moment's present joy fretting over future commitments or things that will have to be left

undone. I want to delight in the time I DO have to give to each present task.

"To become mature is to live more intensely in the present, at the same time escaping from the

limitations of the present." _anon.

October 26, 1986

I feel that the Father would be saying to me...

"Dear one, you wonder what I might like to do through you during this life-time. Just get up each

morning with a sense of expectancy as to who or what I might bring into your life... you never know

where eternal values might come from... savor each moment in My presence..."

Yes, the attitude of expectancy does seem to draw wonderful things full of marvelous lessons to be

learned and opportunities to serve. Expect good surprises!

November 20, 1986

What might the Father be saying to us about our daily tasks? He might be saying...

"Dear one, everything you do, do it deliberately... with joy in that present moment... not thinking of all

the things you are leaving undone. The attitude of choosing thankful joy over distress allows you see

past the things you don't have time to do, and focus on the things you are doing... now!"

March 10, 1990

"Dear one, you be the feather... I'll be the wind. Let me blow you wherever I would today... and be

there... with your whole heart, soul, and mind."

Father, thank you for giving me your grace and peace today, even as trouble strikes on every hand.

Help me to have an attitude where I can calmly say... "all is well" as I learn not to resist the

circumstances life brings, but go into them joyful and triumphant.

August 5, 1993

One of the ways to battle this depression seems to be the adoption of a better attitude concerning the

day's activities... viewing them as opportunities rather than obligations. It is a choice I need to

continually make... to say "I get to" instead of "I have to."

Truly, attitude affects everything... with God's help, I can choose joy... moment by moment... joyfully

and triumphantly!

January 11, 1994

Father, thank you for this day that lies open before me. Help me to receive it, use it, and experience it

joyfully. Who know what people or circumstances You might intersect with my life today, or how

important we may be to each other. Help me to have an attitude of expectation and not miss the

special-ness of this day... and walk through it with a sense of awe at the handiwork of Your over-care.

August 18, 1995

I seem to be comprehending more and more of how dangerous any negative thought is, and how

important it is that I think positively and thankfully... about every task and every moment of every

day!

November 4, 1995

Attitude affects everything! These are the attitudes that I want most to develop in my day to day living

experience...

Feast... Fatten... Enthuse... and Invigorate...

I want to...

Feast upon uncertainty

Fatten upon disappointment

Enthuse over apparent defeat

Invigorate in the presence of difficulties

Exhibit indomitable courage in the face of immense challenges

Exercise unconquerable faith when confronted with huge challenges

Not grow weary in well-doing just because my efforts are thwarted

Let pressure develop stability and certainty in me

Be faithful and earnest, and at all times... cheerful

Accept challenges without complaint

Face difficulties and uncertainties without fear

Rise indomitably to try anew if I fail at a task

Maintain a well-balanced poise... a stabilized and spiritualized attitude

Recognize that sometimes my most disappointing disappointments become my greatest blessings

Understand that sometimes my fondest hopes must die before that seed can be reborn

Accept my lot when I have faithfully performed my duty, taking myself less seriously

Multiply my accomplishments by the technique of being less self-important

Have more energy by maintaining less ego dignity

November 12, 1995

There has been a fundamental shift in my attitude regarding "trying to enjoy this present moment."

Rather, I am finding almost immediate help in simply "receiving God's joy" by just thanking Him in

every moment... for everything that comes to mind. Whether in pain or problem, there is always so

much to be thankful for... and I find each hour is so much easier to go through with a thankful heart.

March 17, 1996

Throughout the boring situations of life, I am impressed today that I could live more joyously if I

would remember to always do at least these two things...

Give thanks to my Heavenly Father (The Path Of Gratitude)

Ask with a sense of anticipation... "What can I learn from this?" (The Path of Growth)

April 25, 1998

"Dear one, as the pressures of work increase, take comfort in this assurance from Me... I will help you

to focus on this priceless moment and lose yourself in it, thus getting so much more done, and

enjoying every minute of it. Always remember... do what you can, with what you have, where you

are."

June 19, 1999

I sense the Father might be saying to me...

"Dear one, always remember that you get to choose the attitude with which you will greet each day

and respond to each circumstance or task.

You can view each circumstance you encounter as ordinary or even burdensome... or... you can

remember the path of gratitude (in everything give thanks) thereby choosing to celebrate every day

and hour... turning common labor into the interesting, intriguing, joyous, more-than-meets-the-eye

event that it really is. You choose!"