What are attitudes?
Common attitudes
Spiritual attitudes
Recognizing attitudes in ourselves
Recognizing attitudes in others
Influences from others
Can attitudes change? How?
Developing and tailoring to more preferable perception

Getting Acquainted With Our Attitudes

Each person has a tailored attitude toward life, toward personal happenings. Why then, if we are all following God's Goodness, does there seem to be so much human contradiction in how we "obey" God? As we are in Partnership with the God energy, we are creating what we, in the level of our Higher Self, know can bring us to closer communion with God. We are experiencing the awakening through our attitudes, through how we see life.

An attitude is a frame of mind, a disposition we choose, how we feel according to our outlook, our perspective or our judgment of a situation or person.

"A way of thinking, acting or feeling; feeling, manner or behavior of a person toward a situation or cause." - World Book Dictionary

Where does an attitude originate? Usually it is from memory of past experiences: something that has happened in our lives or something we have read or heard about from others. Often it sneaks onto center stage without our awareness and we react according to our perception of the current situation. Our action or reaction is a direct effect of our attitude in the moment.

Attitudes can change quickly when something influences any of the senses. Beliefs are more firmly rooted and usually take more time and convincing to be altered.

We may have an attitude of defeat when we try and apparently fail. How quickly that attitude can change when we try again and succeed.

An attitude about someone surfaces when we first meet. As quickly as we become more acquainted, the attitude will likely change.

Is there such a thing as a spiritual attitude? Calling Christians hypocrites is an attitude. Saying any "New Age" concepts must be avoided is an attitude. If these attitudes are harbored and supported, they become beliefs.

An attitude can block various thoughts. It can bring tunnel vision that hinders communication with our various natures as well as with other souls.

An attitude of a football player going onto the field will thwart thoughts of school work or even of his girlfriend unless his attitude is to do his best for the sake of someone. His attitude is most likely that of being a winner. What that requires follows with his actions.

An attitude has a following of thoughts that can sustain the attitude. If I hold the attitude of being a teacher, it will follow through in communication with others. How I use this attitude may be according to my beliefs about how to teach. If, however, I receive feedback that I am being too pushy or lacking compassion, my attitude changes for that particular communication and possibly does so for future communication with others.

There are myriad attitudes. Here are just a few that we will attempt to discuss throughout this book.

Attitudes of being:
Joyful - confused - complimentary - negligent - agreeable - detailed - trusting - sad - forgiving - analytical - assertive - hateful - forthright - selfish - compassionate - practical - poised - dominating - determined - contradictive - concerned - pessimistic - carefree - cynical - humanitarian - idealistic - moody - sincere - shy - grateful - shrewd - fanciful - insensitive - disciplined - sarcastic - impressionable - impulsive - optimistic - revengeful - powerful - suspicious - tolerant - defeated - happy - tired - assumptive - self-righteous - restrained - illusive - determined - weak - abstract - impatient - modest - complacent - stubborn

Attitudes can provide insights when we match up with the attitude of another. We do not have to step into the attitude but by recognizing it, we can step in and communicate with the other person's attitude.

We gain respect and assurance from the other person with this feeling of understanding. It offers a doorway to present our preferred attitude and opinion about the situation. They may or may not be willingto step through that doorway, whether it be the same or different than their judgment of the situation. With practice, we can bend their perception into an acceptance or, at least, a consideration of ours.

Is patience an attitude? How do we step into it when it is not easily available? We find another project that can envelop our full interest. We can be alert to signals for continuing where impatience set in with the first project. In the meantime, we continue with the new project by taking a few deep breaths, relaxing and allowing our thoughts to submerge into the new project. The attitude of calm assurance and patience will prevail.

If we are willing to accept that we create each moment as our preference on our path of life for the benefit of our expansion, regardless of what appears, it is to be enjoyed. We are not to judge whether the moment is "good" or "not good." The choice comes from beyond our conscious mind, regardless of what we think we desire, and this is what manifests.

If we step into acceptance, we can experience joy with whatever is happening. If our attitude brings us to any other decision, we will see it as less favorable and be discontent with much that happens in our lives. We blame others and outside situations. We think we would rather have different results. Would an attitude of acceptance be more joyful, giving us occasion to study it for lessons? With such an attitude, we could simply continue on our path with assurance and acceptance in everything that happens.

Attitude about equals relationship with. This premise occurs in every position of our lives spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, in our relationships with our families, with friends and acquaintances, with our coworkers and bosses and with our finances. It occurs when choosing our style of clothing, what books we read, what kind of pet we have, plants that we house, how we treat children and the elderly, and how we are affected by international affairs. Out attitude about the universe affects our relationship with these aspects and with every situation we meet along our path.

A friend suggests that the solution is that gratitude changes attitude. Is this possible in all cases?

Any comments or questions? Write me! cascade@mahaska.org