Good or Bad? Your Choice

Man laying bricks

‘Attitude is a small thing that makes a big difference.’ Winston Churchill

 

There is an old story about a little girl walking past a building site. As she walks by, she asks in turn 3-workmen what they are doing? The first replies that he is laying bricks. The second says that he is making £10 an hour and the third replies, that he is building a Cathedral to the glory of God.

Same task, different story. Same job, different mindset.

It might be easy to dismiss the tale as saccharine, it is after all the time of year for frosting and glitter but still the end of a year is also a natural point to take stock and reflect. There is a truth to Hamlet’s quip, ‘there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so’. What is the story we are telling ourselves? Is it the story we want to tell? Is it a story that leads us towards our goals or does it get in the way of taking responsibility?

 

You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength Marcus Aurelius


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