Choose an attitude that moves you forward.

“The Greek philosopher Epictetus said it perfectly more than 2,000 years ago: “People are disturbed, not by things (that happen to them), but by the principles and opinions which they form concerning (those) things.  When we are hindered, or disturbed, or grieved, let us never attribute it to others, but to ourselves; that is, to our own principles and opinions.”

In other words, a peaceful and mentally strong person is not someone who’s always in a good situation, but rather someone who always has a good attitude in every situation.

Regardless of what you’re going through, it’s about choosing:  Will I allow this to upset me?  Will I choose to make this bad or good?  Will I choose to stay or walk away?  Will I choose to yell or whisper?  Will I choose to react or take the time to mindfully respond?

When students come to us feeling down about a life situation they can’t control, we typically start by reinforcing the hard truth: sometimes changing your situation isn’t possible, or simply not possible soon enough.  You can’t get to a new job in an instant.  You can’t make someone else change against his or her will.  And you certainly can’t erase the past.  But…

You CAN always choose an attitude that moves you forward.  And doing so will help you change things from the inside out, and ultimately allow you to grow beyond the struggles you can’t control”[1]

[1] http://www.marcandangel.com/2019/04/07/choose-yourself-today-7-hard-choices-that-will-make-you-happier/

    Until next time, remember,

• You are not alone.

• You are not your circumstances.

• You have everything within you to live a purpose-filled life.