New Attitude

We rang in 2009 just 13 days ago. I've heard it so many times...a new year, a new way of thinking. It's a fresh start. A blank slate. New ideas, new dreams, new goals. When a new year comes people often make new years resolutions that they keep for several days, or weeks but after several months they have forgotten what they even vowed to do. Some vow to lose weight. Some want to eat healthier or exercise. Some want to better themselves. Some may want to go back to school, or to graduate, or to get better grades. There are a wide range of resolutions that can be made, and yet forgotten. In the past, I have been in the group of people who have made resolutions and kept them up for a short period of time and then not kept up.

This year I'm committed to being different. I have one commitment and it is to have a new attitude. I mentioned this in the office one day and I was reminded of the Patti LaBelle song "New Attitude." It has become somewhat of an office joke and I was even entered to sing it at karaoke tonight. I sang (but without the microphone). There are even a few dance moves that go along with the song. Each day I wake up, I sing the song, think of the words, and remember, I've got a new attitude.

All joking aside in regards to the song, I am committed to this new attitude. In order to do this I have committed to three things. First, I am committed to my relationship with God. God will give me the ability to have this new attitude. Second, I will keep a negativity journal. In this journal I write all of my negative thoughts and feelings. I write things that anger me. After each day, I'm not allowed to look back. I can only look forward. This idea was shared with me by Dr. Brock. As we talked about this journal, he shared about how writing things gives us a sense of release. For the days I've kept this journal so far, it has helped. Third, I am committed to just being more positive. There is nothing worse than a negative Nancy. I don't want to be known as that. So I will wake up on the right side of the bed. I will smile. I will encourage others. I will seek what God has in store for me each day.

With this new attitude, it doesn't mean that each day is going to be easy for me. I know that a lot of things are going to come up that will upset me or make me mad. However, with this new attitude I am committed to truly becoming a happier person. I am blessed and I need to live a life that truly shows that.

When thinking about this new way of living, several scriptures came to mind:

"with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24


"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus"Philippians 2:5

We are called to have an attitude like Christ. I am determined to figure out what that looks like, feels like, and is lived live. I'm pretty sure it doesn't look like the old me. This small commitment of a new attitude will be the biggest, most positive change I can make for my life. As we journey together, hold me accountable, I'll need it.


I'll leave you with the words of Patti LaBelle:

Running hot,
Running cold,
I was running into overload,
That was extreme.

I took it so high, so low, so long,
There was no where to go like a bad dream.

Somehow that wires uncrossed,
The table were turned,
Never knew I had such a lesson to learn.

I'm feeling good from my hat to my shoe,
know where I am going and I know what to do,
I've tidied up my point of view,
I've got a new attitude.