LIVESTRONG IN ALL YOU DO

In today’s mail I received my quarterly subscription of LIVESTRONG; it provided the proverbial kick in the pants and reminded me of three universal truths. They are;
UNITY is strength
KNOWLEDGE is power
ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Simple phrases that when “LIVED” can move mountains and people to action.

Most of you know that I am a cancer survivor, 10 years cancer free and living life as if it’s on purpose. Yet, many of you are not aware that I lost my brother to cancer 9 years ago. I share this to let you know what I feel and am motivated to do is a result of living with cancer for more than 34 years. You see, Darrell, my brother, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s when he was 14 years old that was 34 years ago. I’ve witnessed intimately the ravages of what cancer does to individuals, families and friends. I understand and live the LIVESTRONG mantra everyday. Please don’t pity me or my family; for we are stronger having lived through this and more optimistic for what tomorrow holds.

LIVESTRONG reminded me, and we all need reminders now and again, of the need to strengthen your rudder, your perseverance and expectations. For when greatness is expected, that is what we deliver.

UNITY is strength was apparent at the conception of America; “we must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” – Benjamin Franklin

Nothing trumps UNITY in an organization, group of friends and/or family. Unity makes each individual stronger, and at the same time reinforces the group. Rudyard Kipling said it best, “For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.” During these trying times, it’s important to strengthen the bonds of the team, reach out provide forgiveness, direction and optimism. Unify the team with leadership, stewardship and friendship. A sense of belonging to something larger than oneself is powerful and empowering, providing strength to both individuals and team.

KNOWLEDGE is the key which unlocks the power of transformation, and sets the mind to explore with confidence the unknowns of what lies ahead. Having an insatiable appetite for learning and taking charge of this new-found knowledge provides the base from which immeasurable results can be achieved. “Knowledge comes by eyes always open and working hands, and there is no knowledge that is not power.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson. Working coaxially and enhancing the power of knowledge is the enthusiasm one brings to situations. The phrase “KNOWLEDGE IS POWER is nearly universal, and understood in virtually every language. Yet, the real power in knowledge lies in your approach and delivery. “Knowledge is power and enthusiasm pulls the switch.”- Steve Droke

The absolute key that builds life, creates synergy and empowers people is ATTITUDE. So much has been written on the subject of attitude, yet there remains a cloud of uncertainty and an almost ‘Pollyanna’ sentiment if you’re overly positive or your glass seems too full. The scientific community is slowly catching up with proof that your attitude can play a critical role in mental and physical healing. "We found that the role psychosocial factors play in surgical recovery was even bigger than we expected," said Peter Jokl, MD, orthopaedic surgeon, professor, Yale University School of Medicine "Assessing a patient's mood and attitude may now give orthopaedic surgeons a better forecast in determining recovery." And for cancer patients; “There is a direct link between metal attitude and healing; “Neuro-Immunology" that shows a direct link between a person's mental attitude and their ability to heal,” states Pediatric Oncologist Chatchawin Assanasen of Nemuns Children Clinic.

In the same way, your attitude is the most powerful tool in your arsenal to win hearts & minds, build alliances and create UNITY and thirst for KNOWLEDGE. Think of an iceberg analogy with respect to your attitude. The visible part represents only 10% of the total mass. 100% of your behavior is what people see and react to. Your attitude drives your behavior and represents the unseen 90%. This analogy is an important reminder of the power of attitude and how the external world sees us and the influence we hold in our mind.

While researching this blog, I found so much first-class information that supports my position that “ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.”

- Forgive others and you will be forgiven
- Be the change you want to see in the world
- Attitude, not aptitude, determines your altitude
- There is a better way for everything…find it!
- A positive attitude is not a destination, it’s a way of life

I leave you with this; “A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” – Hugh Downs

And something to think about; “One ship drives east and another drives west. With the selfsame winds that blow. ‘Tis the set of sails and not the gales which tell us the way to go." – Ella Wheeler Wilcox

In the end; your ATTITUDE of any given situation, challenge or obstacle will dictate the outcome. Based on that; I strongly encourage you to strengthen the UNITY of your team, research to create the power of KNOWLEDGE and your ATTITUDE will improve. It really is the circle of life. Now get out there and make it a magical day, it’s “Your move and your choice,” game on.