Attitude .. so much of our lives is influenced by our attitude.  When trouble comes, which it inevitably does at some time or other to each of us, we are so much better equipped to deal with those times if we have cultivated and made a habit of holding on to a positive attitude. The converse being if we have not cultivated  a positive outlook invariably the troubles are more onerous and in fact too often seem almost insurmountable.  I think Scottie Hamilton said it best  when he was  facing the biggest challenge of his life, after being diagnosed with cancer, when he told an interviewer... " The only real disability in life is a bad attitude." 

Granted, Scottie had to learn at a very young age just how difficult life could be as he dealt with serious illness at a time when, if life was always fair, his biggest problem should have been  what game to play. The lessons learned in those early years have indeed helped him deal with whatever life has thrown his way, always with infinite grace and dignity.  Scottie may be diminutive in stature but in my book he has been, and is, a very TALL man.

 Think about it ... everything and everyone in our lives  is affected by our attitude. I know sometimes it isn't easy ... I am an  admitted optimist ... but most assuredly not an idiot, and I know how I approach  a problem or situation has a definite influence on the outcome. So why not approach that situation with a positive  attitude?  Seems pretty simple and sensible to me.

Along with a positive attitude we also need to have enough common sense and  concern for ourselves to know  we need to indulge ourselves at times to assure the continuation of that positive outlook. Even a small thing like a quiet walk along the beach  with the water gently caressing your bare feet can restore your sense of balance and  fill you with a sense of peace and well being. Who says only children can build sand castles ?

One of the blessings of Sundays as I was growing up was the calm, restfulness, and peace  that came from having a time of quiet solitude away from the world. There is a special strength that is born in solitude.  Today I find that same sense of peace and solitude in my garden surrounded by the beauties of nature. No problem or heartache intrudes as my tensions and worries are dispatched with the same alacrity as the weeds my busy fingers are uprooting with zeal. 

It is impossible for one to be anything but optimistic when surrounded by the wonders found in a garden. Worries recede, anxiety is forgotten, and  a calm acceptance of how  very good life can be seems to envelop me as I survey the beauty before me. 

No , I am not so naive as to think all problems are so simply solved but I do know that  time of solitude makes it so much easier for me to re-enter the arena of day to day life with a renewed sense of purpose and so much better prepared to  deal with what ever lies ahead of me. 

 And when the seasons do not allow the solitude of gardening as an option it's really quite easy .. bring the garden inside and create your own little oasis of peace and tranquility whether it be floral in nature or something equally soul restoring  and in keeping with your own personal interests or hobbies. I promise you it works ... it really does.

Being faced with the illness of a loved one is always more difficult than facing one's own health problems and at no time will that positive attitude  be of more value than when faced with such an eventuality. Strength and understanding can be in short supply at times in such circumstances even for the eternal optimist but those qualities are of paramount importance, not only for you but for those you love. Watching someone you love suffering and in excruciating pain and being unable to relieve that pain is hard. In fact, few things in life are more difficult. But the strength to offer comfort  and perhaps even bring a smile to your loved one's face is a reward beyond imagining.  Where does that strength come from ? I firmly believe it comes from that inner core of optimism brought about by a positive attitude. 

 As children we are natural optimists. Only as we grow up do pessimism and negativity become factors that can develop into habits which influence our thoughts and actions. If we have been fortunate enough to have an influence in our lives which by example taught us to always look for the positive in every situation  and in the people we encounter as we travel through life we are, in my opinion, blessed.  I know I was, and am. I owe such a huge debt to my Grandfather. No matter how difficult life has been I have always remembered how very fortunate I am. The result ? My life has been  made easier  and nothing has, in  the final analysis, ever proven to be more than I could handle. Sure there have been bad days, even bad months, but ultimately everything has always worked out for the best.

And even now, with all of the problems and heartaches  past, present, and still ahead I do continue to believe that anything is possible.  Scottie was absolutely right.