How Important Is Attitude?

I’m a Pollyanna. My husband can’t believe I’ve survived for so many years. How can such a cock-eyed optimist survive past middle age with her optimism intact?

If I think back, there have been a few times when I have been ripped off. But every time I’ve managed to pick myself up and start afresh. And that’s the point – my attitude has influenced my whole life experience. As an optimist, I disregard the nasty things people have done, so those bad memories don’t affect my reactions today or in the future.

Compare that to the pessimist, who tends to remember all the bad things in life instead of the good times. Faced with a problem, that person will focus on the worst outcome, while I’ll hope for the best. The person who fears the worst is more likely to focus on preparing for that worst possible outcome, at the expense of trying to make things better. Because I’m hoping for the best, I’m more likely to make efforts to ensure the best is what happens.

Of course, that could mean I’m sadly unprepared if the worst does befall! However, thanks to my attitude, that doesn’t happen as often as it might otherwise.

So, attitude not only determines how you experience life, it also determines your actions, and therefore can affect the course of your life. But is our attitude inborn or learned? Can a ‘natural pessimist’ learn to see the glass half full’glass half empty’ change their natural bent? I think they can. One’s attitude to life is tied up with one’s sense of self. In my view, dance training has made a huge difference to my self-esteem and therefore my view of life. I see it often in belly dance class – it’s wonderful to watch shy, hesitant women blossom into confident dancers, and with that confidence comes a new outlook on life!