A to Z Blogging Challenge

#AtoZChallenge A is for Attitude

Kat

A

“Our greatest freedom is the freedom to choose our attitude.” -Viktor Frankl

I spent years preaching to my children about the importance of a positive attitude but it was all lip service. I can admit it now but back then, I would have gone down fighting. My attitude sucked. Maybe I thought my attitude was better than it actually was but looking back, I can clearly see how much I struggled. I was raising three children who were five years apart. When one kid was leaving a stage, the next was marching right into it until one by one they ALL ended up in “Teentown” and that was the loooooonnnnggeesttttttttttt stage (14 years) of them all. I’m convinced that my attitude dragged me down and made a trying period, even more so. I’m happy to report that we all made it through to the other side without any major mishaps and all in one piece.

In recent years I faced challenges much bigger than those in the child rearing years and I was forced to re-think this attitude I was maintaining. Changing one’s attitude after a lifetime of thinking and acting a certain way is not easy. It took hard work and I admit that there are plenty of times when I fall back on old, familiar (bad) habits.

One way I help myself keep a positive attitude is collecting quotes by the hundreds, if not thousands. I will read them over and over again as a reminder. I have playlists that are high energy and motivating which always put me in a positive mood. Music has a major influence in my life. I think about the people I love.

My new attitude is to focus on the positive, stay committed to those who truly matter and let go of the unnecessary burdens that weigh me down.

Have you had to change your attitude? If so, what did you do? OR  Are you a naturally positive person so attitude adjustment hasn’t been a factor? And if so, is it work to maintain this positive attitude?

Happy Saturday!

-Kat, recovering negative attitude

32 thoughts on “#AtoZChallenge A is for Attitude”

    1. It’s a struggle for me to remain positive and there are times when I just let the bad get the best of me. That’s when the difference with having that positive attitude really shows.

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    1. I think it’s important to be open to change. I know that for myself the old attitude just did not fit with our lives and everything that was happening.

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  6. I think my attitude has gotten better with time. Now instead of worrying that something will go wrong, I choose to take the attitude of I can do this and I will do this!
    Debbie

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  7. As a matter of fact, I had to change my attitude just recently. And I’m happy I did. I live a lot better now 🙂
    You know, I don’t think we realise how much a negative attitude can harm us, until it actually harm us. Then we have the choise to change, or to keep hurting ourselves.

    @JazzFeathers
    The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir

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  8. Parenting doesn’t come with a handbook. So I’m sure you are in the same boat as most of us – beating ourselves up for certain moments we probably didn’t do so well in (I had a Lot of moments lol). Hind sight is 20/20 ya know?? We can be there for our kids and let them know some of our mistakes now that they are older and hopefully ready to hear us. It’s all about breaking the cycle. Great post!
    A to Z’er dropping in!

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    1. I’ve had more than a few of those moments myself and I’ve learned that it doesn’t hurt to admit that I could have handled it all better. It’s easier now that they are grown up. 🙂

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  10. Not a naturally positive person, with a very not-positive mother as my role-model, I have tried not to pass on the condition of mind to my kids. Like you, I find music helps… and the odd bit of professional therapy now and again can help too. That and lots of wine!!
    Enjoy the month

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    1. I definitely believe in the power of professional help. There are also a lot of therapeutic properties to sharing a glass of wine or a beer or two with a close friend. 🙂

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  11. Oh – I do love that quote too! I think having young kids and seeing their joy at many of the things in life I take for granted has helped – along with a better understanding of what I want and need in life. A great first #AtoZChallenge post!

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  12. I’m influenced by people’s attitudes and the energy they share. One way that’s helped me stay positive is to let go of the negative influences around me. It also helps to remember all I have to be thankful for. Good luck on the #AtoZChallenge! 😀

    Devyn Jayse – Fantasy Writer, New to #AtoZChallenge, http://www.devynjayse.com

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    1. Yes- the removal of negative sources is huge! I have found myself doing that more and more often, too. Thank you for stopping in and commenting! 🙂

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    1. And yet so many hang on to that negative gloom and doom attitude. We do live in a stressful world but I would like to think that by embracing a positive attitude, we can make it a better place to be. 🙂

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  14. Great quote to start with! I hear you about how you preached to your kids about it, same here! And yes I had to catch myself at times! I will say that normally I am a more positive person, but these past 2 years have definitely challenged it! Thank you for the reminder that no matter the circumstances, we have the freedom to choose. Interesting enough, I was just giving myself this little pep talk last night!

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Hi! I would love to hear from you!