The Oxford dictionary defines the word “attitude” as a settled way of thinking or feeling about something. In my opinion, this definition portrays and conveys the longevity of an attitude, as opposed to a feeling or even an emotion. This definition is particularly significant because it highlights the fact that an attitude, whether good or bad requires an active decision on an individual’s part. It also stresses the fact that developing an attitude requires time and thought, which makes it very difficult to change once developed. Keeping and maintaining a positive attitude has become increasingly difficult but it has also become extremely important and significant.
Attitude is what distinguishes a success from a failure. It is not so much ‘what it is’ as it is ‘how you see it’. This suddenly reminds me of a dress that circulated on social media a few weeks ago. Some people perceived the colour of the dress to be white and gold while others saw it as blue and black. According to scientists, the inconsistency was caused by the difference in the way each individual brain is wired.
A positive attitude makes you appreciate every single second of life. It makes you a more centered human being. It is the common thread that ties together all successful people. A good attitude also attracts so many other positive traits like patience, perseverance and resilience. So, here are a few tips to ensure you keep a positive attitude.
(1) SMILE!!!!!!!!!!!
I cannot stress and emphasize this enough. Smile when it feels like it’s the hardest. Smile when people try to bully or frustrate you, because for one it confuses them and it connects you with the kind of strength you probably do not know you have. Smile because it brings out the best part of you. Smiling because it only takes one more facial muscle than frowning does. If your present does not make you smile, focus on the future and where you see yourself after the storm of your present passes.
(2) Surround yourself with the right people
You cannot be positive and belief in yourself if everyone around you focuses on the negative. Do not let people become obstacles to your happiness. Surround yourself with people who believe in the magic and potential you possess, people who trust your dopeness. Two or three heads are always better than one if they all have positive attitudes. Just like with any other journey, travelling with more people makes it more fun. Surround yourself with people who belief in your vision and are committed to your mission.
(3) Figure out quick ways to relax yourself
This way you spend less time pouting and wallowing in self-pity and more time engaging in effective and useful activities. Sometimes, a good cry is all you need to let go of all the negative energy, anxiety and anger you have been holding on to. After a good cry, I find that I am able to focus more and think more clearly. A good bath also helps a lot. I depend on the calls I make to my sisters to just vent when I have had a bad day. I also recommend a good playlist or krispy kreme glazed donuts.
(4) Make an effort to meet other people
You never know how blessed and fortunate you are until you talk to someone who is in a much worse situation than you. There are people who are praying to be in your exact position, no matter how impossible it appears. Having a candid conversation often shows you that everyone is fighting a battle. As a university student, I am exposed to thousands of clubs and organizations that have multiple people who are in my exact position. It is important to take advantage of such opportunities because having a conversation with a person who knows exactly how you feel is extremely soothing and could be exactly what you need to change your attitude and perspective.
(5) ASK FOR HELP!!!!!!!!!!
It is sometimes as simple as this. I personally have learned this the hard way. I was late to almost all my classes in the first month of university because I found it a bit difficult to navigate my city-sized campus. It was not until I began to really struggle that I realised the importance of asking for help. Ask for help, when you still have a choice. Asking for help in no way indicates weakness, inferiority or stupidity. In fact, it is quite the opposite because it takes a significant level of strength, courage and self-respect to ask for help when you need it. A firefighter can only help a victim that does not respond when he calls out of luck. If one waits to answer a fireman when he calls out, he could lose his chance and become unconscious from inhaling all the fumes. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR LIFE TO CHANCE AND FATE. Please ask for help when you need it… I mean when it comes down to it, it’s just easier…
I really hope at least one of these can be your first step to developing a positive attitude. One of my favourite vloggers, Giovanna Fletcher once said “the more of something there is to climb, the further I’ll get to go”. To me, this quote has many meanings but ultimately, it is the very essence of a positive attitude. It is true essence of perseverance and resilience. With this in the back of your mind, no matter how bad life may get, you will end up triumphant.
I vow to always remember that life is a journey, and sometimes it gets tedious and annoying. In these trying moments, I am going to be truly appreciative of the pain and the weakness and the defeat I feel. I am going to be conscious of and sensitive to the fact that the way I feel ultimately determines how far I travel and how much I achieve. Life is to be enjoyed; so I am going to enjoy every single second of it, struggle or stride.
