"The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives."
- William James Harvard
Our minds and attitudes have a tremendous amount of power over us. The way we think about ourselves and others and how we choose to respond and interpret the many experiences we encounter daily is a big part of how we perceive the world. Although it may not always seem as though we have personal control over our attitudes, most of us can choose our philosophy and how we approach life. It has been proven that optimism enhances our quality of life, builds stronger connections in our relationships, and provides more profound and more meaningful experiences in our day-to-day interactions and encounters. When we choose a daily practice of filling our minds and thoughts with the good things in life and remaining focused on the positives, we improve our overall happiness, emotional and physical health, and well-being!
According to the dictionary, the word attitude means "a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one reflected in a person's behavior."
When self-evaluating our attitudes and mindset, we want to look at our current life situation and what we think, feel, and understand concerning it. Evaluating our thoughts and emotions may be the most challenging pillar of good health to look at from an objective perspective. The way we see the world becomes our truth and our mode of living that guides our thoughts and how we feel about ourselves and others. These habitual attitudes, interpretations, and reactions are most likely ingrained in who we are from a depth we don't always fully understand and most likely instilled in us from childhood experiences.
As tricky as this pillar of good health may be to evaluate, the brave and courageous act of trying to understand ourselves from a deeper perspective is a discomfort worth taking to improve our overall health and wellness. The clearer we know how our minds affect our body for better or worse, the more able we are to cope with life, the stronger our immune systems become, and the deeper and more meaningful our relationships and life experiences can be. No matter what you discover about yourself, there is always room to learn, grow, and understand ways to incorporate positive life skills that improve your attitude resulting in improved health and wellness.
Starting small and going slow is a great way to begin looking inward to improve the outward way you choose to live your life. Here are a few questions you can start asking yourself to determine your attitude toward life:
Do I typically see the positives in life, or do I immediately jump to the negatives?
Am I quick to react to experiences that upset me, or do I take time to choose a response?
How do I treat strangers I meet through casual interactions during the day?
Am I able to turn setbacks into opportunities, or do they ruin my day?
Do you tend to focus on solutions or problems?
Am I a worrier?
Do I worry about things that are out of my control or let things go when they are out of my control?
Do I feel supported by family, friends, and co-workers?
Do I have lots of friends, a few close friends, or feel as though I have no friends?
Am I part of a social group, club, or network?
Do I enjoy being alone, or does it make me uncomfortable?
Do I volunteer or do something to help others?
Do I meditate?
Do I practice any relaxation exercises or routines?
Am I grateful for the good things in my life?
Do I focus on and appreciate what I presently have or lament over what I don't have?
Do I enjoy my life in general?
How stressful are my life's various aspects (work stress, family stress, and life stress)?
How well do I cope with stress?
Do I care for a family member, child(ren), or an elderly parent, that may be adding to my stress level?
Do I have any hobbies or activities I enjoy?
Do I like music or dancing, and what effects do they have on my attitude, stress level, and mindset?
What makes me happy?
What activities do I enjoy doing?
Is my health and fitness important to me?
Does setting goals stress me out, motivate me or make me feel bad when I fall short of accomplishing them?
Does exercise make me feel good, both physically and mentally?
Think of anything else you could add to the above questions that are unique to you and your life situation. You can write your answers in a journal or mull them over in your head as you review how your thoughts, perspectives, and emotions affect the quality of your mental and emotional health and wellness.
Next week Sunday, we will continue our monthly focus and practice of self-evaluation by shining the spotlight on the fourth pillar of good health, nutrition!
Make this week a positive one, give yourself some grace, and enjoy your life's journey!
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