Chapter 1: The Freedom of Choice

In life, while various liberties can be stripped away, one remains untouched: the ability to choose one's attitude in any situation. Viktor Frankl, in his profound work Man's Search for Meaning, emphasizes this vital human freedom.

"I didn't have any choice."

This phrase is often used as an excuse. The truth is, we always have options, even when faced with adversity. The only exception might be those who have lost all freedoms, such as prisoners in concentration camps.

We all face struggles, whether it’s enduring prolonged heat waves or frigid sub-zero temperatures. Then there's the frustration of gridlocked traffic on the so-called expressway. While we cannot change the weather or the congestion, we do have control over our reactions to these external factors.

Frankl himself demonstrated this during his harrowing experiences in a World War II concentration camp. He found that regardless of how dire the situation, we can still choose our attitude.

Children may throw tantrums over a sibling receiving a larger dessert, yet as adults, we recognize that the size of a cake slice shouldn't dictate our happiness. Still, we often let external situations, like traffic, affect our moods.

A helpful perspective is to remind ourselves that it could always be worse. Not too long ago, traveling meant covering a mere 15 to 20 miles a day with a horse-drawn wagon. At least back then, traffic was nonexistent.

However, this perspective might not apply to the harsh realities of a concentration camp. What does work, even in dire circumstances, is recognizing that we can control our reactions. We don't have to let our surroundings dictate our mindset.

It may seem daunting at first, but like any skill, cultivating a positive attitude becomes easier with practice. Challenge yourself today to consciously choose your attitude and not let external events determine how you feel. You may be astonished by the strength of that choice.

— Rod Pickett

Now available at Amazon: The Courageous Heart: Wisdom for Difficult Times in paperback and eBook.

Chapter 2: Finding Positivity in Adversity

In this section, we will delve deeper into maintaining a positive mindset even when faced with challenges.

The first video, titled "There's No Such Thing As A Bad Day," discusses the importance of choosing one's attitude and provides insights on how to navigate difficult situations.

The second video, "There is no such thing as a 'bad day,'" reinforces the idea of maintaining motivation and positivity, featuring discussions with motivational figures.