Whatever You Decide, You’re Right

There’s a timeless line in the Little Engine that Could, “I think I can, I think I can”. These words read by countless parents and children are intended to teach kids to overcome their doubts and a lack of self confidence through verbalization. What might not be clear, that process is arguably the first line in life’s unpublished, how-to-manual for success and happiness.

Unlike emotions, attitude is certainly more conscious, meaning each day we get the wonderful opportunity to set and decide our own mindset. As an example, Palms 18:21 reads, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” The passage loosely translates to, “Speak the life you want to live into existence and love that life for it is of your own design”.

Thinking about that, the practice of routinely pursuing the proper mindset for our children should ALWAYS be front and center. Our goal should be to consistently and without fail to guide our children towards a productive, positive, and healthy attitude. Regardless the situation, perhaps the largest step for building strong, confident and empowered kids is ensuring they know and understand that success starts with their own internal visualization and outward verbalization that they can succeed.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life…Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.

It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, being gifted or having skill.

It will make or break a company…a church…a home.

The remarkable thing is you have a choice every day regarding the attitude you will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…We cannot change the inevitable…the only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react.”

– Anonymous

As an exercise for growth, this month, we’re asking ALL our parents to take a simple challenge; start and end each day with a positive affirmation that “Today/tomorrow will be awesome” proudly with your children. Likewise, we welcome all of you to also complete your own copy of this month’s life skills worksheet, share it with your child or others if so inclined. The goal is simple, we’d like for you to see how a simple change in your attitude will not only greatly impact your child but you as well.