Attitude is Everything

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.
-Brian Tracy

It wasn’t my plan to do a series of posts aligned with attitude, but I have come to realize just how essential it is over the years. We can’t control what happens, but we can control how we react to those circumstances. Instead of becoming resentful, bitter, and fearful, I have decided to respond to the things that happened earlier in my life as lessons I needed to learn. Illness, a broken spirit, numerous failures, and becoming homeless taught me many things, but most of all, empathy. I have often heard people say, “You can’t fully appreciate a situation until it happens to you.”

We recently spent a lazy Saturday afternoon wandering through the countryside. We had no destination in mind when we agreed it was such a lovely day we should go for a drive. I threw on something warm and was ready to go in less than three minutes. I was not thinking of shooting photos for the blog, but Mr. Mickey always grabs the camera as we leave, so you get to see pictures of our spontaneous adventures and my hastily thrown together looks.

I wore a pair of faded jeans by NYDJ and a cashmere sweater by Vince from Saks Off 5th a couple of years ago. The knit vest is also likely from Saks Off 5th. I have had it for so long I don’t recall. The shoe/boots are by Marc Fisher.

Mr. Mickey recalled that a new Train Depot Museum recently opened as we drove through Jonesborough, so we decided to explore it. I did not realize what an integral part of rural life a Train Depot once was. It was where the Post Office was located, people could send a telegraph, and later it was where the only telephone for miles around could be found. Can you imagine the anticipation of adventure as people sat on a small wooden bench waiting for the train to arrive and then whisk them away to a faraway city?

I was captivated by the creativity of this display representing long ago Christmas Carolers in front of a home in Erwin, another small town we passed through later that day.

I hope you experience delightful little adventures and embrace an attitude of gratitude. Enjoy your weekend.