Shownotes
Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy
Welcome to Day 549 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Attitude – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack
Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 549 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack. Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks we will explore a different tool that is needed to equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the eighth tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Attitude.
We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As I am recording this trek, we have just arrived back from the podcasters cruise to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. The cruise was filled with great content, friends, and fun and was an investment that will produce a good return. When this trek originally airs, I will also have been to Arizona for a week and now back in Marietta.
February has been a month of nearly constant travel, but we are certainly enjoying the journey. We do head back to Charlotte this weekend for a meeting on Friday and to watch a roller derby bout on Saturday that our youngest daughter Janet is participating in. While traveling can be stressful if we allow it to be, one attribute that helps us as we keep moving forward is to choose to maintain a proper attitude at all times. For a family or any organization to maintain a proper attitude, the leaders must have a good and proper attitude. This tool is one of the most crucial tools for our lives, so let us open Gramps’ backpack today as we explore the tool of…
Attitude
The attitude of the parents and grandparents sets the tone for the entire family. This continues to be true for parents with grown children as you will always have an impact on your children regardless of their age. The importance of your attitude also applies to anyone that you lead or influence.
The Christian life is a cause for celebration, but at times, life is difficult, and we don’t feel much like celebrating. In fact, when the weight of the world seems to bear down on your shoulders, celebration may be the last thing on your mind. When you find yourself in this situation, it is imperative to understand that your attitude should not be controlled by external circumstances and feelings, but by your core beliefs. I know this is easier to say than to put into practice, but you can grow to this level. As God’s children, we are all blessed beyond measure on good days and bad. This day is a non-renewable resource. Once it is gone, it’s gone forever. You should give thanks for this day while using it for the glory of God, regardless of the particular circumstances that you may be facing.
What will be your attitude today? Will you be fearful, angry, bored, or worried? Will you be cynical, bitter, or pessimistic? Will you be joyful, content, peaceful, and satisfied? The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 2:5, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” If you analyze this verse, you will realize that this is not only a command but also an implication that it is your choice, completely within your control.
God created you in His own image, and He desires you to experience joy and abundance, or in other words, a rich and satisfying life. God created us with free will and the ability to choose. God will not force His joy on you; you must choose it yourself. So today and every day hereafter, celebrate the life that God has given you.
Yes, some days this choice is much easier than others, but it is always your choice. It originates in your mind and is then expressed in your posture, words, and actions. Since it comes from your mind, think optimistically about yourself and your future. Yes, you have to think realistically, but that means you must accept what is, and choose to change to what can be.
Give thanks to the One who has given you everything, and have faith that He will give you all good things. Since your attitude does begin in your mind, you must filter what goes in your mind so you can control what comes from your mind.
The Apostle Paul gives us the recipe for creating and maintaining a great attitude, which we must learn and then teach our children, grandchildren, and everyone that we influence in Philippians 4:4-9, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
As Charles Swindoll said, “We must admit that we spend more of our time concentrating and fretting over the things that can’t be changed than we do giving attention to the one thing that we can change which is our choice of attitude.”
Life is what you make it. That means you have a choice. You can choose to have a life full of frustration and fear, or you can just as easily choose one of joy and contentment. Your attitude is your choice.
With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of Attitude onto you.
Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to choose the attitude that you desire to pass onto your children, grandchildren, and others that you disciple and mentor. Teach them how to live life with a good and Godly attitude. A life that is both rich and satisfying. Groom them by displaying an attitude at all times that is worthy of emulating. They will learn from both your actions and your words.
Next Monday we will investigate the ninth tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Faith. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.
If you would like to listen to any of the past daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.
Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.
As we take this trek of life together, let us always:
- Live Abundantly (Fully)
- Love Unconditionally
- Listen Intentionally
- Learn Continuously
- Lend to others Generously
- Lead with Integrity
- Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!