Attitude is a choice




Last night I watched a documentary on one of my childhood heroes , Joost van der Westhuizen. As a young boy I wanted to be like Joost. 

Everyone knows how the story of Joost unfolded. He was a rugby icon and national hero. Life has a funny way of sometimes being cruel. Joost went from hero to zero in the eye of so many people because of mistakes he made in life. I think it is very sad that people sometimes forget that even our heroes are human and make mistakes. Joost was ridiculed and persecuted wherever he went. I am not saying that he was innocent and for every action there is a reaction.  After facing his battles he got news of the biggest battle he would ever face. He was diagnosed with a rare incurable disease. 

Whatching the documentary and all the interviews with him I realised something. He received a death sentence and even then he decided to stay positive. He changed his whole attitude towards life. He decided to stand up and fight. Not just for himself but also for those around him. He wanted to use the time he had left to make a difference and enjoy life with his family and friends.

How many times have you fallen? How many times have you decided to get up again. Who would have blamed Joost if he didn't get up and if his attitude was that of a broken man? 

We get so caught up in self pity and negativity sometimes that we forget what is really important. We forget that even in our lowest darkest times our attitude is still our choice. There are not a lot of things in life that you can control but you can control your attitude towards life. Giving up and staying down after a fall is easy but choosing to get up and fighting back is hard. If you don't have the right attitude you will not succeed in getting up. 

You will be amazed to see what a change of attitude can do in your life. Our children are looking at us to teach them how to act in tough times. Yes it is hard and difficult sometimes. We sometimes don't feel like getting up and fighting back. Life is sometimes unfair and cruel. Sometimes we make the wrong choices in life but instead of waiting for your circumstances to destroy you , choose a different approach. Choose to fight back and get up. Choose to change your attitude towards life. Choose to make a difference. Choose to show those around you that no matter what life throws at you , you will fight back. 

It is also important to remember that we are not alone. We have God on our side. It may seem that He has forgotten about you but He never will. God is love and wants to take your hand and walk beside you in your difficult times. 

One thing I have learned from Joost is that he never gave up. He chose to have a positive attitude. He chose to become a hero again for so many people when he was facing his biggest and most difficult battle. 

We all have that fighting spirit inside of us but it is a choice. What attitude are you going to choose from this day forward? 

Stay safe and have a blessed day

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