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screaming, which set off another kid screaming. Meanwhile, another was furious that everyone was screaming! Chip and Dale thought they could somehow make it better if they kept interacting with the kids. Boy, were they wrong. I guess you can say meal times were not our best moments. But despite the hiccups, the trip remains a wonderful memory. It may sound corny, but the park really did
feel magical. We were blessed to visit at Christmastime when the park was decorated to the hilt in lights, wreaths, and other decorations. Even the churros were red and green. The Christmas spirit added to the feeling we’d been transported to another world. By the end of our trip, we could see why it’s called the happiest place on earth.
to materialize out of nowhere, and you could tell it wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. Another memorable moment came while eating breakfast at the hotel the following morning. The characters Chip and Dale were greeting children, and one of our younger kids panicked at the sight of them. He started
–Sierra and Kevin Bennett
THE POWER OF ATTITUDE Positive Mindsets Create Positive Outcomes
We’ve probably all known someone like Eeyore, the miserable donkey character from “Winnie-the-Pooh.” Even when good things happen, he looks at them in the worst light possible. These people tend to be exhausting, and many of us avoid them. But there’s a bit more Eeyore in most of us than we’d like to admit. Whether we’re aware of it or not, we all approach different aspects of our lives with a positive or negative attitude. Sometimes we expect the best, but other times we expect the worst. The problem is that anticipating bad outcomes tends to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. It’s not because our thoughts control the universe — it’s because our thinking influences our behavior. Someone who doesn’t expect to get the job won’t shine in an interview. A person who predicts romantic rejection will lack confidence, making a meaningful connection
less likely. And when you think your physical fitness is doomed to failure, you will almost certainly give up your exercise routine.
Try to notice when your attitude could be better, like when you dread an event or find yourself automatically annoyed by another person. Once you’ve identified the negative mindset, think
Many people adopt a bad attitude because they believe it will protect them. After all, it’s hard to be disappointed when you didn’t expect much in the first place. But a negative attitude
of ways to reframe your thoughts. Pushing aside an idea like “This chore will be awful” to make
way for one like “This won’t take long, so I’ll make the best of it” will result in better outcomes. You’ll be less miserable during unwanted tasks, and they’ll be much less likely to ruin your day. Of course, a positive attitude won’t make all of your problems go away. You’ll still face rejection, disappointments, and setbacks. But a positive attitude makes coping with life’s curveballs easier. Rather than dwelling on what went wrong, it gives us the freedom to imagine what might soon go right.
ultimately sets us up for failure. We don’t create good outcomes when we don’t believe they’re possible. And we miss out on countless opportunities when we close ourselves off to them. Still, changing your perspective isn’t a straightforward process. Whether your overall attitude is positive or negative, you’ve likely lived that way for a long time. It’s hard to undo years of thought patterns. But starting small can help.
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