A State of Mind

I interviewed an elderly lady recently who was recovering from a broken ankle. At almost eighty years, a break can be a life changing and crippling experience. She made the decision to work very hard (more and harder than prescribed). She had graduated from being in a wheel chair in a nursing home to using a walker and living at home. When I asked how she liked the walker, she looked at it disdainfully and said, "Beats laying in the middle of the street." I knew at that point this interview was going to be fun.

Her state of mind was a choice. It is no less a choice at any age. Although she physically looks her age, she seemed to appear younger as we talked. I asked her how she managed to appear so young. Her reply is the recipe for all of us, "I get up each morning and decide to be happy." So simple and so full of wisdom.

No amount of medicine, mood pills, or trendy advertisements can accomplish what this woman stores within herself. Proverbs 3:13-18 "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding: for the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her."

We all hear the answer to happiness and so few take it to heart and practice the Scripture that enables us to be truly happy. It makes no difference whether you are pushing eighty years or if you are a working twenty year old. Waking up each morning and deciding to be happy is a choice no matter your circumstances. You do not have to be happy about your circumstances but being happy no matter the circumstance is the key.

What difference does this make toward your supervisory skills? It makes your mind sharper for the tasks of the day. It allows others to want to be around you and makes your ideas more acceptable to them. It sets the tone of the workplace. Your choice of attitude can actually transform your entire department. There may always be a select few who enjoy their misery but as you lead with an air of optimism, your department will be transformed by the image you portray. Even if you do not feel the direction of the company is something you can be happy with, your attitude toward the day, your work and your employees does make a difference. This very ability can get a department through crisis, changes, and upheaval.

The old saying, "You must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed" is talking about this very thing. People immediately know when someone comes to work with a positive happy attitude toward the world - or - not. If you are not a positive influence in your workplace, give it a try for a few weeks. As you are influencing others, you will find you are actually changing, too. You and your employees will become a more healthy workplace. Proverbs 10:28 "The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish."

I woke today and decided to be happy - how about you?