Category Archives: Attitude

Fix your eyes forward on what you can do

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“Fix your eyes forward on what you can do, not back on what you cannot change.”

—Tom Clancy, American author and screenwriter

Image from Unsplash by Daniel Herman

Today’s quote reminds us to channel our energy into the present and future rather than dwelling on past mistakes or circumstances beyond our control.

By focusing on actionable steps and opportunities ahead, we empower ourselves to grow, adapt, and succeed.

Letting go of regret and frustration frees mental space for creativity and resilience.

In life’s journey, progress comes from forward momentum — embracing what’s possible today instead of being anchored by yesterday’s limitations.

EXERCISE:

How does dwelling on the past affect your present and future?

What are some practical everyday ways to fix your eyes forward to create a future filled with more realized possibilities?

The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness.

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“The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness.”

—Michel de Montaigne, 16th Century French Renaissance philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Allen Vinicius

Today’s quote is a reminder that true wisdom isn’t just about knowledge or intellect — it’s about maintaining a joyful and positive outlook on life.

Cheerfulness reflects an inner peace and understanding that challenges and setbacks are part of the human experience.

Wise individuals embrace life’s complexities with grace and optimism, inspiring those around them.

In today’s fast-paced world Montaigne’s words encourage us to cultivate happiness as a sign of deep wisdom, showing that a cheerful spirit can illuminate even the darkest moments.

Ultimately, wisdom and joy go hand in hand, creating a fulfilling and balanced life.

EXERCISE:

In what ways can you see cheerfulness as a sign of wisdom?

How can you find more joy in simple things and approach each day with a lighter touch?

Your way of being in the world

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Your way of being in the world has a profound influence on yourself and those around you.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Marcos Paulo Prado

Your way of being in the world profoundly shapes not only your own life but also the lives of those around you.

Every thought, action, and attitude creates ripples that influence your environment.

When you approach life with kindness, openness, and positivity, you foster trust and inspire others to do the same. Conversely, negativity or indifference can create barriers and dampen the energy of those nearby.

Your presence — how you listen, respond, and engage — sets the tone for relationships and community.

By cultivating self-awareness and embracing empathy, you become a powerful force for positive change.

Your way of being is not just a personal journey — it’s a shared experience that impacts the world in meaningful ways.

Choose to be a light that uplifts and connects.

EXERCISE:

What role does self-awareness play in shaping your way of being? How can you apply these insights to have a more positive influence on others in your various communities?

When life serves you lemons, how can a shift in mindset

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When life serves you lemons, how can a shift in mindset and attitude help your stir up a batch of lemonade?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Alan Luna

Lemonade is one of my favorite beverages. I particularly like the fact that I can control the levels of tartness and sweetness to my liking.

Lemons are a versatile fruit that can easily incorporate into our diets through water, cooking, or direct consumption, offering a wide variety of health-promoting properties.

Lemons provide numerous metabolic advantages:

  • They aid in weight management through fiber, which promotes feelings of fullness
  • They Help prevent anemia by improving iron absorption from plant-based foods
  • They Potentially reduce the risk of diabetes by slowing starch conversion to sugar

The vitamin C in lemons supports:

  • Collagen production for skin health
  • Antioxidant protection against cell damage
  • Potential improvement in complexion and skin aging

Additional health benefits include:

  • Antibacterial effects
  • Kidney stone prevention through citric acid
  • Potential anti-inflammatory properties
  • Support for nervous system health through potassium

EXERCISE:

In what ways can you take and embrace the lemons of life (including the fruit) to lead a healthier and sweeter life?

The bond of our common humanity is stronger

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“The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness or our fears and prejudices.”

—Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States

Image from whitehouse.gov

Jimmy Carter is known for his commitment and efforts to enhance human rights at home and throughout the world. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his diplomacy and promoting peace through the Carter Center.

At the age of 100, his life stands as a powerful legacy of extraordinary contributions to global welfare, inspiring others to engage in a wide range of humanitarian work.

EXERCISE:

In what ways does your attitude and efforts support the bonds of our common humanity? How do and can you partner with others in your communities to create a more peaceful and unified world for everyone?

“It’s not differences that divide us. It’s our judgements about each other that do. “

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“It’s not differences that divide us. It’s our judgements about each other that do.”

—Margaret Wheatley, American writer, speaker, and management consultant

Image from Unsplash by Andre Ouellet

This past summer 10,500 athletes from 184 counties participated in the Paris Olympic games.

Following these games, the Paralympic games were held there, featuring 22 sports including blind football, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball, fencing, rugby, and tennis.

The athletes that participated in these games are not only from different countries they also experience a diverse range of physical, visual, and cognitive disabilities that impact their performance.

EXERCISE:

What lessons can we all learn about accepting and celebrating our differences from the Olympic and Paralympic athletes?

How can an attitude of our oneness help eradicate the judgements that often divide us?

“The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.”

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“The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.”

—Richard Bach, American author

Image from Unsplash by Shawn Rain

Where do you draw the line between work and play?

Consider the activities that you want to, get to, and have to get done.

My grandchildren recently started 1st grade and preschool. At this early point in their lives, virtually everything is play and their enthusiasm and engagement is always ready to go.

About the only things that they don’t want to do is clean up their toys and go to bed, because of their own youthful FOMO.

EXERCISE:

In what areas of your life can you shift your views on your “have to do’s” to turn them into “get to do’s” and “want to do’s”?

“I can” is 100 times more important than IQ

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“I can” is 100 times more important than IQ

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Sean Quillen

When you examine the entrance requirements of our nation’s top schools, you’ll notice only a modest percentage of students are admitted.

Virtually all applicants can document top scores in standardized tests, and GPAs north of 4.0. What most of these schools also want to see is what these individuals have done with their lives through essays and interviews that highlight their extracurricular activities.

Looking beyond raw smarts and even their “I can” attitudes, these institutions are looking for folks that can humbly say “I did.”

EXERCISE:

How have you used your IQ and “I can” to prove to yourself and the world that you have done something significant and meaningful with your life?

What potential still lies within you to be and do more in the years to come?

“Attitudes are contagious. Make yours worth catching.”

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“Attitudes are contagious. Make yours worth catching.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Iván Díaz

At this time of year, many of us are getting email and text reminders from our local pharmacies.

You know — the ones urging you to make an appointment for your next set of vaccines to lower your risk of the flu, Covid-19, and other medical maladies going around.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a vaccine to eliminate a bad attitude or fortify a good one?

It would likely boost your zapping energies and vanquish your sapping ones to an even healthier and happier life!

EXERCISE:

Consider reading or re-reading the book ZAPP-the Lightning of Empowerment by William C. Byham and Jeff Cox to make your positive attitude contagious heading into the holiday season and the new year.

Welcome the present moment as an invited guest

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Welcome the present moment as an invited guest.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Felicia Buitenwerf

What is your typical mood and attitude in the following situations? These are examples of positive and negative “creative tension.”

  • Friday afternoons, heading into the weekend
  • Sunday nights, before a busy week at work
  • Packing for an upcoming vacation
  • Heading to your doctor for medical testing
  • Getting a clean bill of health after a physical
  • Doing your taxes
  • Learning you’re getting a sizable refund on your taxes

When we have seemingly positive events in our future we’re up, and when impending negative situations loom, we’re down.

What about all of those in-between moments that seem rather bland or neutral?

EXERCISE:

How can you improve your mood and shift your attitude by welcoming more of the moments of your life?

A friend of mine uses the phrase It’s All Good to express his daily appreciation of simply being alive.