When I want to change my attitude or outlook on life, I quickly evaluate my priorities and reestablish how faith, prayer, love, service, and forgiveness are working in my life.    

Do I have a realistic perspective or am I living a life full of stress?  Am I allowing fear or faith to lead my life?

For me, faith is first.  I can sense when I step over the line and try to manage my life rather than walk my intended path.  I center my thoughts on Jesus and trust that opportunities will arise if I am open to all possibilities, not just what I think is right for me.

My prayer life helps me stay on track and strengthens my faith.  I give thanks to Jesus and pray that I will be aware of when it is time to change direction and that I will be open to all opportunities that arise. 

I don’t have a set prayer schedule.  I find myself praying anytime, anywhere, and for anything!  Prayer has become part of my daily life.  When I find myself off task, it is often because my mind shifts into prayer mode! 

Just this past weekend I was line judging at a volleyball tournament.   I did stay on task most of the game, however, there was a time when the game stopped so my mind went right to prayer.  Little did I know that they were looking for me to motion “in” or “out”, instead I just crossed my arms with the signal of “I have no idea”. 

After the ball hit the ground in a spot where the referee could easily make the call my mind shifted to prayer.  Temporarily forgetting my responsibility of line judging. 

What seemed like several minutes must have been a few moments.  I was clearly distracted!  My mind shifts to prayer whenever I have an idle moment or the opportunity presents itself.  I don’t even realize when I am praying. Utilizing the strength of Jesus has become a part of my daily routine.        

Another way I change my outlook on life is by focusing on love.  When I feel myself thinking about negative things I find that my mind is normally not thinking in terms of kindness.

When I redirect my thoughts to love my outlook on life immediately changes, compassion sneaks in and opens the door to understanding that there is more to the story than meets the eye.

I watched a clip where Katy Perry gave some tough love to a contestant on American Idol.  Her message was strong but good.  As the contestant walked away, Perry said, “I’m a tough mom, but I love every child.”  Her comment seemed right on point regarding the importance of love.  She did not say she loves her child, she said every child.

When my outlook on life is less than desirable, I also remind myself to change my focus to asking Jesus what it is he asks of me.  What is it that I can do to serve?  How is it that I can be helpful?  It always makes me smile when throughout the day unexpected opportunities to serve cross my path.         

Being open to forgiveness is also helpful in improving my outlook on life.  Often it is about being willing to forgive me for something I did that was out of character.  Sometimes it is being able to accept forgiveness from someone else.  Other times it means letting go and forgiving someone who may not know there is an issue. 

My attitude always improves when I think about how our sins are forgiven by Jesus simply by asking for forgiveness.  It stands as a reminder of the importance of being able to forgive oneself and others.   

When I find myself needing an attitude adjustment, I am grateful for faith, prayer, love, service, and forgiveness.  Together they synergistically help me move forward on my journey.

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