We have all seen (television) or heard (radio) advertisements for products and services that are guaranteed to provide results from losing 30 pounds in a day, to cleaning a year’s worth of grease and grime with a simple spray – no wiping required, to being able to drive any car you want for $99.  And lets not forget the amazing offer to eliminate your debt and restore your credit immediately, guaranteed – for a nominal fee of course.

During a text exchange with a co-worker last week, something was stated to me that I thought was worth sharing with you, beloved reader, because who could not use just one more guarantee in their life right?  Only, this one happens to be as tried, true, and proven as vinegar and water really cleaning windows and mirrors as effectively as store-bought glass cleaner…and it is about as free too 🙂

We were texting about a healthy eating plan she’d shared with me, and I told her that I struggled at times, but was committed to the plan, because I realized how much I had to gain (healthier body, increased confidence, etc.) as well as how much I had to lose (excess weight, sluggishness, etc.) and that is what helped me through the moments when I felt most tempted, or ready to give up.  Her response was that I had a great attitude.  As I thought about it, I considered that like the vinegar and water mixture, it would be wonderful to share with others something that can net great results, guaranteed.

ATTITUDE!  That is it.  That ingredient, when mixed with each and every life situation, will determine success or failure – every. single. time.  Will having a positive attitude prevent one from getting ill, getting into a terrible financial situation, or having problems with relationships?  Absolutely not.  However, the attitude that we carry into our situations is directly indicative of how we view and then handle those situations.  Listen, we respond to what we believe.  If I believe it will rain, I grab an umbrella.  If I believe that I am doomed and destined to fail, I behave accordingly, and generally end up giving very little effort to improve the situation.  On the other hand, if I believe that giving my best effort, while at the same time having faith about those things which are beyond my control (instead of worrying about those things), then I am more inclined to be positive about the situation and work to change it.  Even if my best efforts to change the situation fail, then I will be changed: stronger from the efforts, wiser from the lesson learned, and more patient from the exercise of faith. How does the saying go? “A bad attitude is like a flat tire, you won’t get very far unless you change it.”

Many years ago, I heard a radio message by Chuck Swindoll.  Several years after that, I saw an excerpt from that very powerful message.  The message has changed my life, and to this day it hangs on several walls at home, in my office at work, and I even have a copy I carry in my wallet.  I share it here so that if you have never seen or heard it you can be made aware (in a far more eloquent manner than I can articulate) of the importance of attitude.  If you are familiar with it, then maybe it can be a reminder that ATTIDUDE IS INDEED EVERYTHING – GUARATEED!

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important that the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.  It will make or break a company…a church…a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable…The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.  And so it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes.”  Charles Swindoll