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.