My 9th grade English teacher – Mrs. Richardson – used to say, “Your attitude determines your altitude.” Those words have been etched into my spirit ever since, and I’ve always lived by them. I had a flashback of these words when a very nice gentleman came into my business for window tint – let’s call him Darius. Darius and I began to have friendly banter while he waited for his vehicle to be finished. After discussing current events among other things, he began to tell me what he did for a living. He told me that he was a personal assistant to some of the most high-profile people here in Atlanta. Believe it or not, Darius didn’t get this job by filling out an application or by someone putting in a good word for him. He told me that he was at an event and he was walking around chatting and mingling with the other guests. Little did he know he was being watched. Darius then proceeds to tell me that he was approached by one of the dignitaries there about being his personal assistant. The gentleman told Darius that he liked how he carried himself and how friendly he was with the other guests, and of course, he graciously accepted his job offer. He was so good at his job and his attitude was so alluring that, as time went on, other dignitaries took notice and wanted to use his services as well.
Your attitude is everything. It can change the trajectory of your life. It can send opportunities knocking at your door, or it can send them running for the hills. Your gifts and talents can take you places that your attitude won’t allow you to stay.
We’ve all encountered people that never have anything good to say and are always speaking ill of others. Usually, people like this don’t have many friends, if any at all. This is because negative attitudes repel people, while positive attitudes draw people. The Word of God even encourages us to be positive in our daily lives. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
- People with a good attitude:
- Choose to be thankful even though they may not have everything their heart desires.
- Speak kindly to others.
- Encourage others instead of putting them down.
- Find the lesson in every setback.
Every day won’t be sunshine, and it’s not always easy to be positive in every situation, but let’s choose to have a good attitude on purpose. You never know where your blessings lie.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to have a good attitude and to always treat people well, even when it’s not reciprocated. May others see the light in me that draws them closer to You. All these blessings we ask in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
