Attitudes Underlie Thinking,

Speaking, Acting

by Susan Kramer

I have found that how I view life sets the tone and tenor of my thoughts, spoken words, and actions that follow.

I have the choice to view life from either side - the positive optimistic side, or the negative pessimistic side.

"By free will it is my choice to view for improvement or just prove a point."

By being flexible and open to the moment's input I have the best chance of seeing how a situation can grow into its best resolve.

"Being stuck like glue in a point of view blocks out options I may have found useful."

Underlying the cover of my thoughts is a bed of preconceived attitudes on life and living.

"Attitudes influence my thoughts, thoughts determine my words, written or spoken, which in turn determine my course of action."

To begin setting the stage for positive attitudes to have their play I:
1. keep in mind that more options for action are available when I am looking for the best resolve, and that more options come to mind when I hold onto a positive attitude - a positive attitude says, "let's work this out" instead of "let's fight this out."
2. decide to act for the best resolve of each situation.
3. remember the phrase 'action-reaction' - positive actions produce positive results; negative actions produce negative results.

Happiness in living is my goal, no matter what outer form my life takes; no matter what career goals are. I have found that holding a positive attitude allows the greatest amount of happiness to seep into the crevices of my life.

When we use our energy to seek the ultimate happiness - communion with our Creator - we feel satisfaction within; the knowledge that we are on track.

The process of learning to commune with the harmony permeating every speck of existence goes inversely hand in hand with fulfillment of worldly desires. The less able we are to find true happiness through acquiring possessions and relationships, the more we look for the experience of lasting happiness and joy - driving us at last to look within.

The more we strive outwardly, the quicker - through getting discouraged by disappointments--we decide to tune inwardly, aligning with our state of underlying happiness.

Energy travels in orbits, like the planets in our solar system. What goes out, comes back with the same force. Sincerity in looking for sustained happiness draws this energy to us. Like begets like.

First, we search as much as possible for happiness in worldliness, then the world, by its temporary highs, shows us that the direction is really the journey within to our roots - roots sunk in harmony and finding a home in us by our loving and kind actions in the world.

text and photo copyright 2002 Susan Kramer
susan@susankramer.com
http://www.susankramer.com