But on my television right now is the Baltimore Running Festival. While they show the runners out there on a gorgeous, crisp autumn morning winding their way through the streets of Baltimore, they are telling inspiring stories of why some of those people are running the 5K, half, or full marathons. The Baltimore Marathon has become a prestigious affair for runners over the past 11 years. Of course, there are elite runners that are dominating the field. But for me, the far more compelling stories are the ones like mine. People who had NO REASON to believe they'd ever be running any distance, and yet they are out there and doing it anyway! They've kicked cancer. They've battled weight and other health issues. They've committed to serving others and are running this to raise money. You name it...they've got their reasons, each of them of vital importance. These runners are passionate about this event.
That's when it came to me. Attitude isn't just a little thing. It's not just a positive outlook that makes us happier along the way. It's truly EVERYTHING. Everything. Once we realize that it's our ATTITUDE that determines our outcome, we become powerful, unstoppable forces. Those runners have learned this lesson in their own lives. And now they are teaching it to all of us.
So what is the lesson? Here's how I see it...
When you BELIEVE you can...you can! Success in any endeavor begins with your head and your heart. BELIEVE that you are able, and your actions, your intentions, your energy all fall in line behind that belief. Hold to it tenaciously and refuse to let go of the belief, and you WILL accomplish whatever it is you set out to do.
Life isn't what happens to you...it's what you DO with what happens to you. You cannot control what comes your way in life, the circumstances that impact you. But you CAN control your response to the things that happen to you. That is a powerful choice on your part. Will you choose to be positive and move forward despite having real reasons to be hurt, angry, and frustrated? Or instead, will you allow the things that come your way to determine your response and defeat you?
My attitude is my CHOICE, friends. I don't try to maintain a positive outlook on life because I've got on rose-colored glasses as some of my acquaintances seem to think I do. I try to maintain a positive attitude because that's WHO I AM. It's a choice I've made to live out Philippians 2:5...to let my attitude be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Am I completely successful in that pursuit? Absolutely not. Is anyone? But does that mean I give in and let my attitude be determined by my circumstances? No way!!! This is MY choice...no one and nothing determines my attitude except for ME.
So, I'm changing my attitude this morning because I can. I'm resting my knee more willingly, knowing that because I'm resting it today, it will be stronger tomorrow. The gym will be there when I can safely return to it. And I will. There's really no doubt about that at this point in my life. A year ago...maybe. But not now. I'll head back to training when I'm able to do so without further injuring my already failing knees.
Attitude changes everything. I believe that. Do you?
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