Attitude is Everything

When I was a teenager I went over to my Granny Hall's one morning because I was going to help her around her house that day.  Let me digress here and let you know that this was one woman who I truly adored.  She was feisty, compassionate, had a wonderful sense of humor, very smart (although she only went to school through the 3rd grade), worked extremely hard, but most importantly . . . spoiled me rotten!!  I know that all of my cousins and brother thought that THEY were her favorite but she and I knew the truth!  She would cook for me anything that I could dream up and at any time of the day or night.  I could just mention that I loved chocolate cake and before I went home she would have made me a 15 layer chocolate creation that I truly believe would have made the Devil repent.  With that said . . . that morning I arrived and she was still in bed.  She said she needed a little help getting up so I helped her.  She was in a good deal of pain but she just smiled and told me she would be ready in a little bit.  When she was finally ready (and I had promised her that I had already ate and that she didn't need to cook me some biscuits) we left to go get her some things from the grocery store.  Once we arrived and started shopping she saw one of the many people she knew and when they came up they said "Hey Bernice!  How are you?"  She smiled that one thousand watt smile and said, "You know I don't think I could be any better!"  After their conversation and as we walked away I said, "Granny how could you say that you were doing so well when only this morning you could barely get out of bed?"  She stopped.  Looked me in the eye and said, "Son, when people ask those things you have a choice.  Do you want them to see you and say "Oh Lord.  Here comes Bernice." or "Oh Lord!  Here comes Bernice!""  It struck me then that what made her so special was her attitude.  She was never defeated.  She knew that anything bad that was happening to her was just a season and that it too would pass.  This would be one of those "Life Lessons" that would serve as a cornerstone for me as I grew up.  I have seen the difference that an attitude can make in a person's life.  If your attitude is that you are defeated . . . then you will be.  If your attitude is that you can't do it . . . then you won't.  If your attitude is that you are a victim . . . then you always will be.  However, if you have an attitude like my grandmother's then you will only know success.  Happiness will follow at your heels like a good puppy and you will drag everyone around you (sometimes kicking and screaming) to a new pinnacle of happiness and achievement.  My Granny is in Heaven now but a part of her still walks and talks with me.