While listening to Michael Beckwith this morning, the concept of choosing my reality soaked into my bones a bit more. He said something like, "Circumstances don't create our reality, our attitude does."
This may be the thousandth or ten thousandth time I have heard or read this or some variation of it. Yet, today I got it that I want to choose my attitude even when it's more challenging for me.
I almost always have a fantastic attitude with my work - except if something technological malfunctions, or even hiccups. Then I am sure my world as I know it is coming to an end. I almost always have a superb attitude in my personal life - until my sister or my sweetheart says or does something I don't like, or worse, something I judge.
So, what if I took the opportunity with a technology hiccup to breathe, know that all is well and take a short walk? What if I focused on the opportunity to learn about that technology or the opportunity to connect with the techno genius helping me? What if I focused on the opportunity to love even when I don't like? What if I examined my judgment of another to see what is crying out for love in me?
What if I consistently and consciously make the choice for freedom, rather than bondage to situations that don't seem to be going "my way?"
Twenty-five years ago, when I read Victor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning, I first came to understand the importance of choosing our focus and thoughts. If he kept himself alive in a Nazi concentration camp by focusing on hope for the future, surely I can hold a positive mental attitude when my email goes down for a few hours.
I'm now challenging myself to override my initial, knee-jerk reaction to consciously choose a positive mental attitude every time I start to fight something/someone.
Ah, that may keep me busy for awhile . . .
