It's All about Attitude

It's all about keeping a good attitude, and an ability to look at life through rose colored glasses; to still see the reality in front of you and to be happy in the face of adversity.  You have to be able to, at a moment's notice, put on a serious face and say, "Bring it!"  When the offenders draw themselves up short in response, smile and shoot them a knowing wink.  They'll probably back off in confusion... or fear.

I am asked, on occasion, how I can be so happy, whistling and singing all the time.  Well, the young lady in the photo, above, frightened me.  We struck up a conversation after I snapped her photo.  I was to find during our ensuing discussion, and as she smoked her cigar, she mirrored my own attitude about life - be happy.  Basically, what's the alternative?  Her life was going through some turmoil, yet here she was trying her first cigar while watching the cigar table on the front nine of the country club.  There will always be things in our lives which try to bring us down. Don't ignore them, hell, you can't ignore them, just say what's on your mind and rise above the bullshit.  We laughed and I told her she smoked the cigar like she knows what she's doing.  She said she was all about owning her actions; if you're going to smoke a cigar, act like you know what you're doing - own it.  She owns her troubles and she continues to live life and own that as well. 

As for me, I have trivial issues, by comparison to hers.  I have no patience for driving but, I love to drive.  I just wish everyone else would get off the road.   I'll cuss some granny out for creeping along and not putting her foot down on the accelerator, and then I'll smile to myself as I remember to add, "...oh, and God bless!"  I have to work on my patience, that's why I didn't take a car to Mexico when I retired there for a couple of years.  Let the bus driver deal with the aggravation.  My point is, why let it get you down?  Say what's on your mind then shake it off and get back to smiling.  Life is way too short, but life also cannot be denied.  Life is what it is and you can't let the crap which you have no control over have control over you. 

Besides, a knowing wink and a smile... it keeps them guessing.  It can also be infectious.  Look at that face.  You don't think she knows what I'm thinking?

She's about to wink.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with a world renowned Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.