Does Attitude Matter In Life?

I'm a Pollyanna. My new husband can't believe I've managed to get past 50 unscathed. How have a made it to middle age without getting disillusioned?

If I think back, there have been a few times when I have been ripped off. But every time I've managed to pick myself up and start afresh. So looking back, it's true to say my whole experience of life is determined by my attitude. As an optimist, the good experiences in my past are always uppermost in my mind, not the bad ones.

Now consider the pessimist, who recalls the bad events in their life instead of the good ones. In a crisis, that person is more likely to expect the worst, while I hope for the best. The person who fears the worst is more likely to focus on preparing for that worst possible outcome, at the expense of trying to make things better. Because I'm focussed on a good outcome, I'm more likely to find ways to reach that goal.

Of course, that can mean I'm unprepared if the worst does happen! However, thanks to my attitude, that's less likely to be the case.

So, attitude not only determines how you experience life, it also determines your actions, and therefore can affect the course of your life. But is attitude genetic, or set in our childhood - or can we change it? Can someone who is a natural pessimist see the sunny side of things'glass half empty' change their natural bent? I think they can. Your attitude to life is linked to your attitude to yourself. In my view, dance training has made a huge difference to my self-esteem and therefore my view of life. I see it often in belly dance class - it's wonderful to watch shy, hesitant women blossom into confident dancers, and with that confidence comes a new outlook on life!