The A & O of it all

Attitude and Outlook. One does not seem to exist without the other, and the combination of the two tend to define our personalities. Recently, I have had many opportunities to encounter and contemplate this, not only in myself, but in a number of others. I have come to a few conclusions.

1. Focusing on, or basing judgements on, negative things in the past prohibits the ability to acknowledge positive things in the present and/or future. The old adage "the leopard doesn't change its spots" does not necessarily mean that people don't grow & change. They do! Those "spots" may multiply, or they made fade with time, but the choice for growth in either direction is always there in everyone. Additionally, not all of the "spots" are necessarily negative ones, which should be taken into consideration.

2. "Everyone has both dark and light inside of them, it's which side you choose to embrace that matters" A favorite Harry Potter quote of mine, but it is definitely true. For everyone. At all times, in All situations. How we React to anything defines how our personalities are perceived. This holds true no matter what one's self image actually is.

3. The adage "the truth will set you free" is absolute malarkey. The truth will many times drive you nuts, stress you out, and cause you to second guess yourself and everyone else. HOWEVER,  this is only the case if the truth does not come out in the first place.

4. A final adage .. apologies.  "There is good in everyone"  Yes, but the "good" may only be something that is shown toward that person's possessions, or significant others, or livelihood, or pet. It may not come across in many or most areas of that person's life. It may be buried so deep, or be so scarcely shown that the person is perceived as, at the very least, a jerk, or at worst, evil. That takes us full circle to observation #1.

Now, obviously, as everyone has and is entitled to their own opinions, all of the above is subjective ... which goes back to the original statement regarding Attitude and Outlook. In my opinion, they're a full circle .. one begats each other.

~ The Girl In The Little Black Dress