The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Traveling & Learning About Attitude

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

25 October 2006

This past weekend I traveled to Des Moines, Iowa to my son and daughter-in-law's Damon and Kellee Andrews and I was met by another daughter-in-law, Erica Andrews from Broken Arrow, OK. Between the two there were six grandchildren in the house for a lively fun weekend.

Without noticing it, I was celebrating "mother-in-law day" spending some quality time with both daughters-in-law over the weekend. Mother-In-Law Day (Sunday, October 22) with two of the best daughters-in-law I could ask for.

I attended an Arbonne meeting with the girls and Damon at a beautiful Country Club and was able to hear Erica's uncle speak on gratitude and attitude, telling us "As a man thinketh, he doeth." It is so true.

His suggestions for an attitude adjustment is to quit focusing on your problems and start looking for what you can do. Turn off the TV, and the bad news, he said, and begin looking for the good that is happening around you and your home and community. As you focus on the good others do, show your gratitude. Build people up with praise.

We should not be wearing catcher's mitts on both hands, but we should be throwing something back to this life we've been given. Do something good to make this place a better place to live. No one likes to hang out with negative people.

You can start changing your attitude by first being grateful for those around you. Make a list of their good qualities. (forget the bad in others like you want them to forget the bad in you)

You get where you are by the choices you make. So, he said, to stop blaming others for your problems.

If you keep doing what you are doing, you are going to be in the same sorry shape or worse, 16 years from now.

You must be willing to make changes by making better choices.

For example, if you are complaining about your weight, he said, stop focusing on the (overweight) problem and start focusing on the solution. Then choose to set out and do it. More exercise, better food choices, eating regularly, and soon you will start liking what you see in the mirror. What happens in your life for the most part, is your choice... good or bad.

Sunday, Kellee and Damon's preacher at Point Of Grace Church spoke on anger and revenge, and society's attitude of always wanting to get back, fight for their rights, or give people their just due.

He explained God's plan of turning the other cheek, and returning good for evil, and letting the image of God shine through in you.

If you need a lawyer it says, "hire God to be your lawyer who will revenge all wrongs."

As I returned home Sunday to Stronghurst, I was grateful for the weekend, but also extremely grateful for the good people who live in our small communities, so many who I see giving back. We are so blessed here, aren't we.