Some might argue that our outlook relies on external events. In cases of tragedy, this is often true. But in our day-to-day stresses and anxieties, I would disagree. One of my favorite quotes has always been, “Two men look out the same prison bars, one sees mud, the other sees stars.” In this example, the external is the same–but the focus of the two men is different. Here is another example from my life. We had a big ice storm here in Wisconsin. I was excited because I love snow and winter weather. My friend was bummed because she hates driving on ice. The external was the same, the outlook that we shared was different. We control our outlook.

Your Turn: Where in your life have you been pushing to have a good attitude, without taking into account “the facts?”