“It often takes just a single brave person to change the trajectory of a family, or any system for that matter.” – Brené Brown; Rising Strong.
Have you ever woken up on the wrong side of the bed? The alarm fails to go off, your coffee spills, and traffic seems ten times worse than usual. When everything that could go wrong does, we tend to blame it on the full moon or the alignment of the stars, as if everyone’s agitation is synchronized. The truth is, our attitude influences how people treat us and how we perceive others. You’ve heard the saying, “One bad apple can spoil the whole basket.” Conversely, one good seed can create a beautiful garden.
Imagine a field of wildflowers. The wind scatters seeds across a vacant lot or even into a front yard, and soon, flowers bloom where none stood before. These flowers can form a stunning bouquet for your home or office, shared with neighbors or friends. If the flowers in your yard are particularly beautiful, they might cause passersby to slow down or even detour just to admire them.
Flowers have the power to brighten a gloomy room and introduce beauty where it was absent, altering the atmosphere. How do you change the atmosphere around you? Are you the source of joy and light in a room? Do you make every place you visit better for everyone? Are people comfortable being themselves around you? Does your cheerful outlook boost others’ confidence? Do they leave your presence smiling, encouraged to do better? “The longer we walk in the garden, the more likely we are to smell like flowers,” says Max Lucado.
When things go awry, it’s not about who’s at fault. What matters is your attitude, and you are solely responsible for it. When I choose positivity, I am happier, and it seems to rub off on those around me. Everyone carries an element, an environment, and an energy. How aware are you of yours? Every flower starts from a seed, and the flower’s potential depends on what we do with that seed. Do you want to be happy tomorrow? Then sow seeds of happiness today.
A centenarian once reflected on his life, saying, “I don’t have many failures. If I’m making a cake and it fails, it becomes pudding.” His optimism redefines what many would consider a failure into a success. While in prison, I maintained a daily journal, expressing gratitude for my freedoms—a surprising sentiment given my circumstances. My job allowed me to leave the prison yard four days a week, providing a semblance of freedom. I chose to focus on these liberties rather than wallow in self-pity, and each day, I found joy in them.
The happiest and most successful people possess the best attitudes. Attitude is essential for navigating tough times. You can’t afford to let your spirits drop when it matters most. Remember, attitude isn’t hereditary—it’s contagious. Don’t be the source of negativity in your circle, and resist being dragged down by others’ misery. Lay the groundwork for positivity with better habits.
B2tRUE 