A few months ago my husband and I found a little antique store in a small town not far from our home.  We browsed through the aisles, all the while I was heading in the direction  of tons of books. Finding such a stash  of old books means a treasure hunt to me.  I am always sure there is a specific book hidden  in the large display with my name on it.  Such was the case on this particular day.    The book I found was, Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude by Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone. The book was written forty six years ago.  I was amazed how much it read like newer books I’ve purchased recently.  It confirmed to me that there are facts about our mind that no one will dispute.  Experts studying the impact of our attitude in life, have not changed their mind, even with more and more years of research. In reality, the truth is, the Bible’s words,  “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”*  is once again reinforced with each study.
 

It’s worth taking a look once again at our own attitude. If we blame outside circumstances for our lot in life, we need to find ways to change our thinking.  Some of the negative thinking goes like, “I never had a chance to get ahead, my father was an alcoholic.” or “I was raised in the slums and you never get away from that.” or “My husband keeps me beaten down by his ugly ways toward me.” A good answer to this kind of talk or thinking is, if you are unhappy with your world, and want to change it, the place to start is with yourself.

Many studies  have shown that 98 out of 100 people who are dissatisfied with their world do not have a clear cut picture of  what they truly want in life.  There are so many people drifting  aimlessly through life, dissatisfied, struggling against life itself, but not really knowing what they want. Can you state right now what your goal in life is?  Have you heard the saying, “What the mind can conceive and believe,  the mind can achieve.”  I  believe that is true.  It’s all in our attitude.  That one statement is a form of self-suggestion. It is a self motivator toward success.  When it becomes a part of you, you dare to change your attitude about things you thought were unobtainable.   Let me share just one of the stories I found in this good book with my name on it.
 

“Bill was a sickly farm boy in the southeastern Missouri. A dedicated grammar school teacher motivated  William Danforth to change his world.  The teacher did this with a challenge: I Dare You! ‘I dare you to become the  healthiest boy in school.’  I Dare you! became William Danforth’s self-motivator throughout life.

He became the healthiest boy in his school.  Before he died at the age of 85, he helped thousands of other youths to develop good health – and something more:  to aspire nobly, to adventure daringly, and to serve humbly.  During his long career he never lost a day at work because of illness.   I Dare You! motivated him to build one of America’s largest corporations, The Ralston Purina Company.  I Dare You! motivated him to engage in creative thinking and turn liabilities into assets.  What a remarkable testimony to the power of  a positive mental attitude.”
 

I heard a professional counselor say recently,  “It is not easy to change who you are after age 30.”  I agree it is hard, but it is also possible. It depends on how determined a person is to have a better life. I say that from experience.  When you are unhappy with who you are, and earnestly seek something better, it can happen.

~~~Some guidelines toward a positive mental attitude:~~~

• Have a purpose
  

• Go the extra mile
  

• Keep a check on your thinking, change it when necessary  
  

• Watch those outside influences;  tv, music, etc.
  

• Remember, there really are "negatives" out to get you.

• Enthusiasm

• Learn from defeat. Put your faith to work, it’s there to help

A Mind Thing~Altitudes and Attitudes A Mind Thing~Aging A Mind Thing~That Mental Kindling

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