Attitude is Everything (sometimes)

We cannot change our past. We can not change the fact that people act in a certain way. We can not change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.
Charles R. Swindoll

That is the quote of the day today (Friday - in case you missed it). This week at work has been a real "ishy" week. Seems like those of us who have been given a termination date all of a sudden realized that they mean it..and we kind of panicked! Some of the people only have until October 2, I am here until December 18. But it seems like everyone was talking about it this week for some reason. And not in a good way.

When I read that quote today I realize how true it is. I can sit here and piss and moan all day about what is going to happen...or I can be thankful for what I have in my life. It's really my choice. No, I'm not happy about what the future might hold, but I'm grateful for all the wonderful things and wonderful people that are in my future!

Last night while I was volunteering at the Women's shelter, I did an in-take on a new client. She is VERY young, only 19. Her long-time abuser/boyfriend of 4 years (do the math) kicked her out. And she called the police who brought her to the shelter. She had all of her worldly possessions with her - all packed into 2 duffel bags and 2 plastic laundry baskets. That was it. She told us that her Mother was also abusive to her and so when putting down an emergency contact, she put down a friend. Imagine being 19, kicked out of your home by your boyfriend, no Mom or Dad to go to..and hauling all your stuff into a shelter! She was obviously scared and lonely. My heart just went out to her.

The point of that story is that as we get older, we acquire so much material stuff and we really sometimes think it's the most important stuff we have. We'd be devastated if we lost it! But, in reality, it's not the "stuff" that counts, it's all the blessings of health, family, friends and the knowledge that God is watching out for us that really matters. I know that my future will be different no matter what happens, but I also have faith that I will be OK, thanks to all that I already have!