Why Have a Positive Attitude?

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

Why have a positive attitude? Some may consider this a silly question. As a reader to this newsletter, you have lived long enough to have experienced a number of events that were influenced by positive thinking.  And, there are literally hundreds of articles on why a positive attitude is important. But today, I will share the most important one.

Life is tough. We do not always get what we want. Some goals are more difficult and challenging. Bad things happen. We lose family and friends whom we love. We lose in some of the contests we want to win. Any of this sound familiar?

The inevitable challenging moments – we all experience these – remind us of the necessity for balance in our life. We need some positive inspiration.

What other reasons are there for a positive attitude?

Because a positive attitude . . .

is healthy

will help us to achieve goals

will improve relationships

reduces stress

increases productivity

increases energy

is a catalyst for positive results

All of these reasons provide the typical explanations and motivations written in many articles. Innumerable studies and even some scientific findings support many of these reasons. Yet, the most important purpose in having a positive attitude is not usually included in the available literature.

Why have a positive attitude? What is the most important reason?

Because . . . we can!

It is a choice we have. We are free to make that choice. All the great benefits of a positive attitude are available to us today if we so decide. If . . . we so decide.

Dr. Viktor Frankl, renowned psychiatrist and author, spoke powerfully about this freedom—this unbelievable choice that we are given.  As a Jewish Holocaust survivor and prisoner of war, he learned that he still had a choice for his own attitude, despite deplorable circumstances. In a situation where death was a daily occurrence and possibly imminent, he found that even in such an indescribable, uncertain environment, attitude is still under your own control. Dr. Frankl stated:

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

We have a choice with every single day of life. And with that freedom of choice, a whole array of good benefits and outcomes are possible. The question we should ask is:  Why would we choose anything else than a positive attitude, since we have the freedom to choose? When we make that choice, we are also choosing better health, more energy, increased goal achievement, better productivity, improved relationships and less stress.

Today I choose a positive attitude.