‘A’ is for attitude

A lot of things have changed in the more than 20 years since I have been writing this column, but none has been more earth-shattering for me than the demise of paper.
Early on, I had to print out multiple copies of each column (on paper) and stuff envelopes, including the monthly invoices, and make sure the envelopes got to my subscribing newspapers before the first of the month.
I also had the pleasure of actually talking to my editors on the telephone. What a difference 20 years has made!
Now I e-mail the week’s column each Monday morning, and wait for a prompt response from Nancy G. of the Clear Lake Courier, S.D., with a friendly, “Got it!”
And once in a while a little more, like last week when she said their snow was stacked pretty deep!
She went on to say, “I just read your column and I do have to agree with you, I love all the seasons, too.”
Another difference is that the many file drawers of column input that I had accumulated for decades are now obsolete. Instead, I have dozens (or even hundreds) of computer files and also have ready access to information on any possible topic on the Internet.
I still have the paper files in storage, although I rarely look at them. Recently on a whim, however, I decided to leaf through those ancient files beginning with the A’s. I didn’t get far until I found an intriguing file folder labelled “Attitude.”
Now we all know that attitude makes all the difference in life. What a great column idea! I thought. And I had the perfect title: “A is for Attitude.”
In the folder were five or six articles about attitude. Some were undated but yellowed. Those that had dates were from 1988 to 2002. A long time ago!
But wisdom about attitude is surely ageless, I thought, and began reading.
“We become what we think about all day long,” was a quote from 19th-century essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Twentieth-century positive thinker Norman Vincent Peale voiced similar sentiments: “Change your thoughts, you change your world.” Which reminded me of one of my all-time favourite authors–Louise Hay.
I was first introduced to Hay’s writings by my long-time friend, Lucinda Martin, more than 30 years ago. And the writings of Hay have been formative in my life ever since.
According to Hay, attitude is critical. And a positive attitude springs from positive thoughts. So if you keep your thoughts in line, you can have a good and joyful life.
Says Hay, “Your mind is a tool you can choose to use any way you wish.”
It’s entirely up to you. You can be positive or negative. You can be critical or see the best in people. You can think of the fun you have with friends or you can dwell on the tragic world situation.
You can worry that the worst will come, or you can believe that sometimes miracles happen and you can cope with whatever comes up.
Training your mind to be positive is worth the work, Hay insists. Because, “As your understanding of life continues to grow, you can walk upon this planet safe and secure, always moving forward toward your greater good.”
It’s all in your attitude!
Marie Snider is an award-winning health writer and syndicated columnist. Write her at thisside60@cox.net