Weekly newsletter
I. Prompts for motivation
What does attitude mean to you, and how do you go about practicing a positive one? Can you think of someone in your life who manages to exemplify this quality on a consistent basis?
Do you think it’s possible to attain a certain level of readiness in the face of anything that comes your way? What kinds of activities and routines might contribute to this form of disposition?
II. Thoughts for intention
The attitude you bring to any situation can be shaped by the habitual things you do. The term goes back to the Latin word aptus, which means fit, ready, or suited. It’s about a psychological posture or outlook that you develop over time through aligning both of your mental and emotional positions to a desired internal state. This enables you to rely on an enduring foundation that recognizes the value of your heart and mind before responding to any situation.
While it’s important that our mindset, goals, and intentions are rooted in our values, it is our attitude that influences how we feel and act toward them. It’s less about the “what,” which includes beliefs, assumptions, and interpretations, and more about the “how,” which involves the very way in which we bring those ideas into reality. Put another way, it’s how we actively express and put our philosophy into practice. It’s the psychological fuel we strengthen as we translate these ideals into actionable choices.
III. Ideas for preparation
Our default attitude is deeply connected to the subconscious mind and our automatic behavior. While our conscious mind is related to the decisions we make and the things we focus on, our subconscious mind acts as a storage bank for our past experiences and emotions. This is why getting into the habit of positive self-talk and healthy habits can influence the way our attitude changes over time. In doing so, we are incrementally activating our mental and emotional power in how we show up on any given day.
One way we can get better at finding the right attitude is by putting time aside to stay physically fit. This insight goes back to Socrates himself, who never underestimated the deep connection between our bodies and minds. His teachings include dialogues in which he warned against the ramifications of neglecting the body. He famously argued that no citizen has a right to be an “amateur” in this regard, emphasizing that we all deserve to witness the strength and beauty that our physicality can unlock within each and every one of us.
IV. Quotes for inspiration
“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
“For neither laziness nor pleasures are capable of producing a well-constituted body, as the gym teachers say, nor do they bring to the mind any knowledge worthy of consideration. But exercises pursued with a persistent effort lead people to the attainment of good and valuable ends, as worthy people inform us.”
― Mark Forstater, The Living Wisdom of Socrates
