“Your attitude towards life defines not only who you are, but the quality of life you are after.”

I read a lot. And I talk to a lot of people. And I’m firmly convinced that our moods, for 90% of us, are directly related to our attitude about our lives, our situation, our happiness. A friend sent me an email this morning with dozens of photos of this boy and his artificial legs, his smile and his obvious involvement in a very active life around him. He has, it seems, a great attitude! But look closer. Do you see why? Because his parents have a great attitude. They are the ones taking him skiing, getting him involved in life, telling him he can do it. They are as much a part of his attitude as his own thoughts. They are training him to have a good attitude. I notice this because when I was living in my van in 2006 (and even now), the power of other people’s attitude can be more powerful than our own if we let it.

He is young. He still has puberty and the storms of hormones to weather. But his parents and friends, the anchors and love he is enjoying now, will be there for him. He’ll get through it. We all need love. We all need support. Our attitude depends on a lot of things. Our thoughts are only part of that. The support of those around us is another. I stress this because it’s too easy to look at people like this and think/say, “How inspiring,” and forget that we are part of their ability to do what they need to do. Don’t think that inspiring people stand alone. They stand because people like this kid’s parents stand with them. Maybe you won’t lose a limb, or live in a van, or risk your life, or fight cancer, or do anything that anyone will label inspiring. But your attitude still counts. It defines you, it defines the quality of life you’re after, it defines the quality of life you’re able to offer others in your life.

It’s ALL About Attitude….