The Choice

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” ~ Helen Keller

Situational, circumstantial, environmental dreariness may affect our perspectives from day to day in a negative way.  And we all try to find a cure to this drear; but each cure lacks to our dismay so we simply continue on hoping to find a ‘song’ somewhere along the way.

In some way shape or form we all want to push the gloom aside, and live beyond our circumstances ; but frankly the is no quick fix that I or anyone else can ‘sell you’.  However there is hope, because the choice of how you view is ultimately up to you!  As renowned psychologist Viktor Frankl said, “Your circumstances don’t matter.  You have in you the inherent ability to seek God’s purpose each and every day of your life.  God gave us free will, so the choice is yours.  The only obstacle to seeking and finding fulfillment is you.”  This choice can be summarized in one word, a dreaded word that you mother always used to scold you about, and that word is attitude.  Yes, despite your circumstances no one can take away your choice; attitude is always your choice.

The simplest and most effective way to change your mood is to physically change your facial expression.  Our mood may seem too abstract to control but you can control your 42 unique facial muscles and simply smile[2].  Smiling you can dramatically change your mood and the mood of those around you.[3]

Most of the time, we can change our environment, and even our circumstances.  Denis Waitley once stated, “There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.”

In business, pleasure, play, and life, our attitude becomes self-evident to those who surround us.  Our colleagues and peers, can judge your mood from miles away it’s not what you do it’s not what you say because it comes from the effort with which you compose your day.

In Next time you're having a 'bad day' remember all in all we have a voice, all in all we have a choice.  A choice of complacency a life in drear or on-contra the choice on par the choice to live for others, a life intrinsically full and dear.  So ponder hard, without fear, the choice is yours, now determine your tier.

Sincerely,

--

^“15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” ~ NIV Joshua 24:15

Jordan D. Ulmer

Cited:

1. Frankl, Viktor E. Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy. Boston: Beacon, 1992. Print. 
2. Carnegie, Dale. "A Simple Way to Make a Good First Impression - Smile." How to Win Friends and Influence People. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1981. 70-77. Print. 
3. Sherwood, Susan. "How Many Muscles Are in Your Face?" Neuroscience Psychology. Discovery, n.d. Web. 11 Jan. 2013. <http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/how-many-muscles-in-face>.