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“Spiritual hunger is common to all; but tastes differ.
There are different forms of God to suit all tastes.”
- Swami Yogaswarupananda, of the Divine Life Society,
a Vedanta-based foundation in Rishikesh.

Attitude - A positive Asset in Us

Dr Sandhya Pathania

Attitude encompasses our thoughts and our actions. It determines how we respond to our environment and why we say and do the things we do. It is an indication of our sensitivity on all issues or our blatant disregard. Simply put, attitude determines our stretch. It is our mental choice. If we choose arrogance, we close ourselves off from the opportunity to learn from other people. If we decide to have a critical attitude, then our judgmental nature shuts out a lot of people and blessings that do not meet our immediate specifications.

Our intellectual development depends largely on how we use our mind. It needs regular tuning to stay in shape. Challenging ourselves to create fresh approaches to old problems, to explore unfamiliar places, to debate and dissect received truths, to spend time with people whose wisdom forces us to stretch- all these activities help us to develop our intellectual ability to address the salient issues that present themselves each day. If you determine that you are going to be equipped to handle whatever comes your way, you must always strive to cultivate your brainpower so that your mind can become a catalytic force for positive change not only in your life but also in the lives of those who touch yours.

Life does reward those who fully accept it on its own terms. Your refusal to throw a pity party for yourself in response to a reversal in fortune, your strong and silent strength of character will attract many admirers to your side. You can cultivate this attitude by meditating on the wisdom of this adage: “I complained because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.”

Every time you decide that the forces are working against you, your assets are being placed in a box with a lid and a lock. You alone hold the key. You have to be the one to discover your own treasures.

Be meticulous in the choice of people with whom you surround yourself. If your constant companions are narrow in their interests, judgmental, lacking purpose, creativity, imagination and initiative, move on before you become stymied. Even worse, if it is clear that your friends are fair-weathered and do not have your best interests at heart, do not linger a moment longer in their presence.

Life is not a game of entitlement. In life, we are all given certain gifts. If you approach life with an eye toward what you have and what you have to give to others, you will lead a fuller life. The way of the open hand, the way of service, is an attitude that also leads to higher self-esteem.

Living a life of integrity will require more than courage and support. It also demands patience. Living life on its terms and not bending them to meet your own, means learning to take and accept things as they come. It usually does not offer instant gratification, but it is the only course that instills true gratification.

Each of us carries a mixed bag into the game of life. We have personality traits that are helpful, others that are disagreeable; we have attitudes that are open and flexible, others that are closed; we are know-it-all at times, know-nothing at others; we have insight and blind spots; we bring encouragement and discouragement; and we are friendly at times, chilly at others.

In our relationship with others, we truly do have a divine obligation to bring out the best not the worst in others. We must remember the fact that people also grow and change in course of time. The person before you today will not be the same person you face tomorrow.

Act with integrity, for the actions you take are a powerful catalyst for the direction of your life and for those around you. If you behave in a concert with your highest values, your purpose will be reinforced, your standards strengthened, your inner conflict silenced, your serenity deepened. Make sure to introduce your outside to your inside. Look inward to find peace. If you do not do this, then you will find no respite in the world. Whatever situations you are in always know that you are never alone in this world, but always have the unconditional love and support of a true friend – way down deep inside yourself.