Here are a few tips to help you cultivate an attitude that will take your life up instead of down:

1. Let go of responsibility for issues that are outside of your control.

What is the only thing you can readily control in this world? The only thing you can control is you and you alone! You can't control the weather, careless drivers, unruly kids, an indifferent spouse, your parents, or anything else aside from your own defined beliefs, thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

Focus on developing yourself and doing what is right. Watchfully control yourself while letting what will happen, happen. Decide what you want out of life and stick to it, relentlessly.

2. Fix your thoughts on whatever is good.

I have personally found it to be true (not only in my life, but in the lives of others) that moods are determined by what captures one's focus. The enemy understands if he captures our focus, he alters our lives.

Start by ascertaining what you would like to do and then stay focused on that sole objective. An idle mind becomes a negative mind. That is the reason it is so important to focus on God's Word and His assignment for your life.

What have you been focusing on lately? Whatever captures your focus controls your life. How many individuals do you know who realize the power that focus plays on their lives? Until they realize the power that focus has, they will never experience the rewarding life God promised them. The emotions you feel (optimistic or pessimistic) vividly reveal your focus. As you choose to focus on what is good, your emotions instinctively follow. This is also the key to mastering your emotions.

3. Respond favorably to every condition.

Do you enjoy learning new things? Each of us has the opportunity to learn a lesson proportionate to every difficulty we face; and learning that lesson can launch us straight into our potential! As I stated earlier, it is not what is done to you but, rather, how you respond that matters.

Your attitude toward accepting responsibility for the outcome of your life is one of the most important statements you can ever make about yourself and the kind of person you are.

Studies show that those who accept responsibility for their lives tend to be infinitely more positive, maintaining a better outlook toward life and its setbacks. Contrarily, those who place blame on others and justify everything they say and do tend to be more negative and cynical. Raymond Holliwell says, "Each experience through which we pass operates ultimately for our good. This is a correct attitude to adopt, and we must be able to see it in that light."

Think carefully about the next three questions:

• How will I respond to tomorrow's unforeseen setbacks?
• How will I respond the next time traffic is backed up for miles?
• How will I respond to a poor attitude exhibited by my spouse, a friend, or a co-worker?

I guarantee, if you wait until the situation arises to make a decision, you're bound to make an emotional decision that is detrimental to your future. If you constantly react to the issues of life, you are much like the man who attempts to build and protect his home during a storm. This irresponsible fellow has placed himself in great danger, while his home suffers severe damage. If he had properly prepared for the storm before it struck, he and his home would have been safe.

You have probably witnessed it yourself - when pressure comes, poor decisions predictably follow those who hadn't previously thought about what they would do in such circumstances. You must make those decisions today, so that tomorrow you can expect only good.

4. Shake off the victim mentality.

When you attack difficult times with an attitude of responsibility, you begin to view every difficulty as a steppingstone, strategically positioned for future achievement. Accepting responsibility is a vital ingredient toward creating an attitude that is both healthy and attractive to everyone around you.

Isn't it interesting how so many people fail to see the direct correlation between accepting personal responsibility and possessing a positive attitude? I certainly think it is. Those who believe they are victims of circumstance futilely struggle to see the positive in anything. These individuals seek to find other poor souls they can unjustly blame in order to relieve themselves from the duty of personal responsibility.

How will you respond the next time you fail? The reason I ask is because you have a distinct choice in the matter. Your forward progress continues only if you refuse to allow failure to restrain you. Always keep in mind: Life is not a race to be won but a journey to be enjoyed.

5. Be thankful -- count your blessings, not your troubles.

Let me share with you a poem that I believe will illustrate this point. The story is entitled "Count Your Blessings," by Charley Mard:

"What a day!" I said to myself, as I jumped out of bed with glee.
Today was the day I planned to go and cut my Christmas tree.
"I wonder what I'll get this year," I thought, as I lugged it from afar. "Maybe a watch or a real big ring or even a brand new car.
I guess I better bake and clean; there are stockings I have to stuff.
The time is short and money's scarce and I never have enough.
All these people coming over, which gives me a lot of work.
They never help and some complain about some silly quirk."

While in the store, I saw a boy who appeared to be really sad.
I thought, "He's got it made, that silly kid, no work, just fun to be had."
I said, "You seem a little down today. Haven't you picked out your favorite toy?
Why aren't you smiling and having fun like a normal little boy?"

His words stung deep as he lifted his head and from his eye a tear, "I've picked it out but hope is gone, and I'm afraid that Santa won't hear.
I always loved this time of year, for Santa always came.
But now it won't mean as much to me or ever be the same.
My dad left Mom and me years ago, when I was very small.
So I don't remember Christmas with him being there at all.
But Mom and me, we always laughed and put up the Christmas tree. Well, Mom passed away this year, and now there's only me."

I hung my head in deep regret because of my thoughts you see; Because I wanted most of all for folks to think of me.

"Why couldn't I have the things I wanted, as I worked real hard all year?
I deserved those rings and a brand new car and something new to wear."
Now I discovered more precious gifts than I had never seen.
They now became more valuable to me than they had ever been.
My friends and family were right beside me to help at any time.
I asked God to forgive me, how could I have been so blind?

When I get up each morning now, I thank the Lord above.
Who knows how long they will be there, to shower me with love.
A lesson was learned this year as I prepared for Christmas Day.
No more asking just for me, but to be thankful when I pray!

Enjoying Life:

How many people do you know who frantically work for that golden day of retirement but fail to take pleasure in the journey along the way? Sure, the day finally comes when they retire but, sixty days later, they die from the stress of overworking their entire lives; and that's a shame.

Why not enjoy every moment of every day, regardless of the season of life you currently find yourself? If you can't afford the luxuries you desire, be content knowing that this moment is the poorest one you will ever experience. Focus on what you do have and thank God for His wonderful blessings!

Always be wary of looking so far into the future that you view your present with disdain. Don't ever detest where you are right now, just because you would rather be somewhere else. The mind is always in search of what it does not possess.

Doesn't the child who has every toy imaginable often want the one his friend is holding? Or how about the young valet attendant who sits around dreaming about the eventful day he will finally own the same type of well-appointed cars he just parked for his guests? While he's doing that, those same guests are trying to figure out how to make more money this year than last! There is an endless search for achievement, but true fulfillment is only attained through seeing life as a journey to be enjoyed rather than a race to be won.

So please, enjoy where you are at the present moment, but don't set up camp there. Each of us must be ready to press forward when it's time to move ahead.

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