Attitude is Key!

There’s something about little first and second graders. They are so funny with such wild imaginations. We had the end of the year celebrations for our seven and eight year-old boys at school a few weeks ago. We sat in the darkened auditorium and enjoyed listening to the first grade presentation of what the children wanted to be when they grew up. An artist, a professional football player, a zookeeper. When the first grade was done and given a roaring ovation of love and applause, we watched as the second graders took the stage. It was surprising how these students seemed to appear so much older and wiser than the younger class before. How could one year make such a difference? Even their dreams of the future seemed to change. You were hard pressed to find a future Luke Skywalker in the bunch. It made me think of what everyone wanted to do when they “grew up.” How can we end up doing what makes us happy? Is that even possible?

I work as a therapist in different facilities, primarily with the elderly. I listen in awe to their past experiences, some over the course of 90+ years. One of the treasures I have taken away from “The Meaning of Life,” if you will, is pretty simple. It’s your attitude toward things that matters. How you think and feel about different situations, yourself and others, seems to be a pretty big key. For example, one 95 year-old woman told me of decades of despair, of the “Great Depression,” of love and loss, but she still had warmth in her eyes and a faith in God, and she spoke of the good times, too.

I’ve heard some stories of war that you wouldn’t believe. I have heard jaw dropping nightmares from soldiers, from prisoners of war, from people of different countries and from folks who were born and raised in my hometown. No matter what their background, it’s amazing when someone has been through so much and yet they still has a light about them, and are still “happy” even at the end of it all.

On the other hand, there are those who have had everything and anything they’ve ever wanted, but they’re still upset. You know that “grouchy old man/woman” you picture at the drug store? Yep, that one. No matter what they have, or how much they were given in life, it doesn’t matter. They’re still bitter. I’ve learned this lesson from them. As cliché as it may seem, it’s really not about wanting what you don’t have in life…it’s wanting what you do. It’s your attitude towards life and what you make of it that’s all the difference.

So as I start this summer with our eight year-old engineer, our seven year-old astronaut, our four year-old Spiderman, and our three year-old Tooth Fairy, I am hoping they just grow up to be happy, come what may. At the end of the day, a positive attitude, happiness, and strong faith will pull you through anything. Attitude is key.

Bea lives in North Carolina with her husband Adam and children Christian (8), Ethan (7), Preston (4) and Lauren Elizabeth (3). Read more amazing stories by Bea at Peanut Butter Hair