ATTITUDE AND ALTITUDE

by Dunstan Chan

9/5/13

   There is a saying, “Your attitude determines the altitude of your life.”

   That is why motivational gurus of all shades always urge us to develop a positive attitude, to focus on the positive aspects of any situation. The converse is to dwell on the negative side of things, which has the effect of pulling us down the slippery slope of self-pity and ultimately, failure. Every so often life throws ‘a curve ball” and puts us in a tricky position. Our attitude determines how we handle the situation and the impact of such challenges on our lives.

   Many people are under the illusion that our attitude is a habit, which predisposes us to behave in a particular way. But really it is a choice rather than a habit. We can choose to take a negative or positive outlook; we can choose to dwell on the dark cloud or on the silver lining.

   To have a positive attitude is not putting one’s head in the sand, nor is it being unrealistic. It is about acknowledging the negative aspects of a situation, but choosing instead to focus on the hope and opportunity available within every situation.

   Sometime ago I read of this story that I think illustrates the point. On the edge of a town lived an old man. His house was right at the entrance to the town, so everyone who came into the town would encounter him first. One day a stranger came to town and spied upon the old man and so he asked:      “Tell me, sir, what kind of people live in this town?”

   And the old man retorted, “What kind of people live in your own town?”

   “Well, they are a nasty lot, uncaring and selfish.”

   “Then that is the kind of people you will find in this town.”

   Sometime later another visitor came by and asked the same question. “What kind of people lives in the town?”

   Again the old man replied, “What kind of people live in your own town?” 

   “Oh, they are very good people, always ever willing to help each other.”

   “It is the same with this town,” said the old man, “they are all very nice.”

   Meanwhile, a little boy who was sitting nearby overheard everything and he said to the old man, “Sir, you are being very untruthful. To the first stranger you said the people in this town are nasty, now you are saying they are all very nice.”

   “Well, my boy, the world is like a mirror. What image you give it, the same image will be given back to you.”

   Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931), the inspirational Lebanese poet and artist said, “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”

   A positive attitude helps us to cope more easily (and successfully) with life’s challenges. It brings optimism, hope and brightness into our world. It is certainly a state of mind that we must develop and strengthen. As the saying goes, “It is your attitude that determines the altitude of your life”.