"We have a right to choose our attitude."
Viktor Frankl, Austrian Neurologist
Viktor Frankl, Austrian Neurologist
Short (embarrassing) story – I need continuous, daily care. Laura is the one to whom this burden falls. It was Friday night. I took some medication that helps me sleep. A common problem I have is waking in the middle of the night due to coughing/choking issues. My body produces too much saliva and often I start to cough and choke. To address this issue I take Amitriptylene. Basically, the pill dries me up and causes drowsiness, helping me with choking and sleep.
Here’s the embarrassing part of the story:
I take the pill, fall asleep and at 2am I have an “accident” in bed. I wake Laura who simply goes about changing the sheets, cleaning me up and makes sure I am okay. She even kisses me goodnight!
The next morning, I was mortified and was apologizing for causing so much trouble. I felt like a huge burden. To my surprise Laura gave me a hug and said, “It’s no problem. At least I don’t have to be at work in the morning. I can nap later if necessary.”
With those words she made me feel like I was no burden at all. Also that if needed she could take a break. She expressed love with her servant-heart and an attitude that looked for the good in a bad situation!
It takes a high level of intelligence to find good. Any fool can find the bad in any situation (and they usually do). Have you noticed this behavior? Look at people around you and notice what they say when something goes wrong. Do they go into “attack mode” or do they try to understand what caused the problem and give the benefit of doubt?
What if the movie you picked wasn't great? Dumb people will be quick to criticize, while smart people will look for something good, even if was the photography!
What about you? You can’t choose your circumstances, but you have complete control of how you respond to your circumstances! Look for the good and keep negative thoughts to yourself. Frankly, nobody wants to hear them anyway, and it makes you look bad.
I am very thankful that Laura chose to focus on making sure I was valued in a demeaning situation. She looked for the good and it made all the difference.
Watching Laura has taught me that I am in charge of my attitude.
Akhil
I take the pill, fall asleep and at 2am I have an “accident” in bed. I wake Laura who simply goes about changing the sheets, cleaning me up and makes sure I am okay. She even kisses me goodnight!
The next morning, I was mortified and was apologizing for causing so much trouble. I felt like a huge burden. To my surprise Laura gave me a hug and said, “It’s no problem. At least I don’t have to be at work in the morning. I can nap later if necessary.”
With those words she made me feel like I was no burden at all. Also that if needed she could take a break. She expressed love with her servant-heart and an attitude that looked for the good in a bad situation!
It takes a high level of intelligence to find good. Any fool can find the bad in any situation (and they usually do). Have you noticed this behavior? Look at people around you and notice what they say when something goes wrong. Do they go into “attack mode” or do they try to understand what caused the problem and give the benefit of doubt?
What if the movie you picked wasn't great? Dumb people will be quick to criticize, while smart people will look for something good, even if was the photography!
What about you? You can’t choose your circumstances, but you have complete control of how you respond to your circumstances! Look for the good and keep negative thoughts to yourself. Frankly, nobody wants to hear them anyway, and it makes you look bad.
I am very thankful that Laura chose to focus on making sure I was valued in a demeaning situation. She looked for the good and it made all the difference.
Watching Laura has taught me that I am in charge of my attitude.
Akhil
James 2:17-18 (NIV)
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
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