Attitude Counts

April 19, 2012 

I’ve written about the importance of attitude in the past.  I’ve been working hard to maintain a good attitude despite the changes in my profession.  Often, when I need a lift, one of my patients magically appears with just the right medicine.

Today, the wife of one of my patients suffering with cancer told me a story about attitude.  Her husband recently lost his hair to chemotherapy and she thought her story would help me help my other patients cope with adversity.  The story goes like this:

One morning while looking in the mirror, a woman found that she had three hairs remaining on her head.  She thought to herself, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.”  The next morning, she had two hairs on her head and thought, “I think I’ll part my hair today.”  The following morning she had one hair on her head.  She declared, “I think I’ll wear a pony tail today.”  Eventually she awoke and, upon looking in the mirror, found she was completely bald.  That morning she thought, “I’m glad I don’t have to mess with my hair anymore!”

Yes, it’s all about attitude.  One person’s adversity is another’s blessing.  Have you checked your attitude lately?  Have you updated your Blessings List?  These days, not only does it take work to be happy, it also takes an attitude adjustment.  I’m working on an attitude of gratitude and am grateful for patients who share wonderful stories with me.

Thank you!

Posted on ww.livewellthy.org 4/19/12