I have been struggling these last couple of months with a pretty bad attitude. As my husband tells me, "I have control over my responses to situations, comments, change..." You get the picture. While I don't necessarily always do a good job, because just when I adjust my attitude there is another comment that just plain sends me over the edge. In other words, I blew it. Generally, it's that protective mother bear instinct, that, in all honesty, has been coming out fairly regularly lately. Attack my sons - and it isn't pretty.
But, all that said I have found ways to change my attitude even though the situation hasn't necessarily changed, or comments continue that send me over. I've had to use one or all of these activities, and that is what they are, actions. I have to take action.
Here's what I've done:
List my gratitudes. a sure-fire way to transform my attitude of discontentment, that leads to stress, and a poor attitude is to sit down, pull out pen and paper and begin listing things I am grateful for. Because I have a relationship with Christ, and yes, even Christians blow it - often - I always begin with, "Thank you, God for..." When I say those gratitudes out loud or write them down my attitude becomes one of gratitude. It is exceedingly difficult to have an attitude of discontent, or be filled with anxiety or stress when I am, instead, filled with gratefulness.
Study the Word of God. Without a doubt, I cannot study the Word and at the same time feel stressed, have a poor attitude, be discontented, or walk in fear. The Word of God is alive and active and every single word is useful. If I study, engrossed in the Word, I can walk away refreshed and renewed every single time.
Turn negatives to positives. Find the good in the bad. Shift my focus. Sometimes, it only takes one shift of focus to reveal other positives.
Create a new space that is healthy. For me sometimes it is just cleaning up, straightening, organizing, and especially purging one area to turn my focus from stress to joy. Not sure why this is but maybe it is an underlying, or root assistance to discontentment, or joy-buster. It probably has nothing to do with my situation, but taking this action helps tremendously.
Savor the good. I like to make lists. One list I especially love to make is a list of things I love. From specific people to specific things, to activities. It is a wonderful reminder of all the good in my life. A list of things I love, favorite words, favorite books, favorite movies. Making these kinds of lists changes my focus. I can walk away renewed. It's a strange thing how actions such as just making a list of something 'good' can reverse a bad attitude but I usually works.
Random Acts of Kindness. It is one of the best ways to reverse a bad attitude, ungratefulness, stress, frustration, all those negative feelings. Perform, there it is again - act! A random act of kindness. I was in the drive thru the other day and the whole way to the restaurant I was struggling with frustration. When I got to the window to pay and pick up my food, I paid for the vehicle behind me. Frustration was gone. Seriously!!!! Gone. I was giddy with joy!
So, if you are struggling with discontentment, frustration, anger, or a bad attitude. Try one of these actions.