Wisdom and Attitude

I am currently reading through 9 different books, all aimed at increasing my knowledge and improving my circumstances, should I put the concepts I learn to use. Should I not implement these things into my daily life, all I have acquired is great knowledge. While that is fine and dandy, I would much prefer to gain wisdom and then act on it. This idea of attitude and how it can be a powerful factor in where we are has been all around me lately. Today, during a conversation with a friend, I found myself reiterating a point I heard Andy Andrews make, "Where we are today is a direct result of our best decisions." Every choice I have made has landed me in the very spot I now find myself. Whether it be good or bad, I am the reason I am where I am.

But what about God? Don't I believe in his sovereignty?  Yes, I do.  If I had chosen correctly, at many of life's choices, I would not be having to learn some lessons now.  If I had chosen to believe that God does in fact "work all things together for my good," I would have been consistently running victoriously through life rather than sitting motionless in the confines of my doubts. 

What good does complaining do?  None!  Not one bit of good!  In fact, complaining has me so focused on the negative aspects of life that I am only steering myself closer to the very things I claim I want to move away from.  Speaking the negative will begin a train of negative thoughts set on a course to wreck every goal I have written down.  It is a bit insane, don't you think?  Rather than complain and rehash a list of "I can't", "I don't", and "I won't" statements, I am learning to ask the right questions.  I am beginning to develop the habit of asking myself and others what I can do, what I will do, what I am capable of doing and what I am willing to do and how those things will move me closer to my goals. 

As I look at those around me, I also find myself presented with a choice.  Will I compare my situation to theirs, or will I recognize the success of others, learn from them, and be glad for them?  Let me be honest, unless each one of them sits down and shares their story with me, I do not know what scars they have from battles they have fought in order to stand in the place they now stand.  To compare myself to another not only robs me of my joy, but it also rips the reigns of control out of my hands.

I have chosen to marry the man I married, the place we live, how we raise our daughter (these are joint choices, but choices all the same), the work I do, the work I do not do, and the people I surround myself with.  If I am surrounding myself with those who speak positively and act on the wisdom they have sought, I will do likewise.  If I surround myself with the "woe is me" crowd, I will find myself wailing along with everyone else, going nowhere.

I am reading through these books, studying the lives of successful people around me, I am beginning to see the faulty thought patterns I prone to, the insane cycles I have chosen that have me moving in circles rather than closer to my goals.

There comes a point where we must either accept the place we are at, or decide to change.  I am choosing to change thought patterns, statements I make, and the people I listen to.  It is making a profound impact on me, on my family, and I am confident it is also affecting the course of our future.