"Perhaps you’re tight-fisted and stingy, even when you’re financially well off, or even bordering on wealthy."
What a coincidence. My wife and I were just discussing yesterday about how I need to adjust my attitude about this (although she used a less polite phrase than attitude adjustment). We are what my friend calls "beer-and-pizza wealthy". That is, we have enough money to qualify as being wealthy, albeit in a rather modest way (or maybe "bordering on wealthy" is the better term). I can afford to be generous.
But you wouldn't know it from my tight-fistedness. I'm a Scrooge, pre-ghosts. I need to adjust my attitude to be a Scrooge, post-ghosts. I'm willing, but seem unable. Too bad I can't get three spirits (past, present and future) to help show me the error of my ways.
Thanks for your note, John, and especially for your candor about yourself. I think you speak for a lot of people. I also keep wondering about your wife's "less polite phrase"!
Interestingly, one of the main tenets of behavioral psychology can be stated this way: "It is easier to ACT your way into a new way of thinking, than it is to THINK your way into a new way of acting." In a practical illustration - acting happy when you're down will help change your "attitude" (mental state) faster that thinking happy thoughts will. Or so the tenet would have us believe. Try it both ways. It'll be good for you.
Again, thank you Mardy, for being the first and best part of my Sunday. An also the best challenge to me mentally each week. Your work affects my attitude.
Thanks for your kind words, Mike. I've always loves that quote ("It's always easier to act your way into a new way of thinking...") and not simply because it's great example of chiasmus. I'm delighted to have you as a subscriber.
The exercise you mentioned was helpful. But my problem now is that I have some ideas on good attitude adjustments to make, but I'm having trouble making them.
This reminded me of the Wright brothers, who have a good claim to have invented the first viable airplane. But what they invented was a control system for an airplane more than the airplane itself. For the first time, a pilot could reliably control the yaw (rudder), pitch (elevator) and roll (wing-warping). Though wing-warping didn't work well and was soon replaced by ailerons, three-axis control remains the same in concept as when the Wright brothers first mastered it.
It would help a lot if we had a reliable control system for our emotional attitudes, but for me at least, I don't. I struggle to control them.
I enjoyed this week's post, and can't help thinking about the aphorism, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Attitude seems to be much more than a mere mental exercise, but a posture that engages one's whole being and approach to life.
Thanks for weighing in on this week's theme, dj. It's always nice to hear from you.
"Perhaps you’re tight-fisted and stingy, even when you’re financially well off, or even bordering on wealthy."
What a coincidence. My wife and I were just discussing yesterday about how I need to adjust my attitude about this (although she used a less polite phrase than attitude adjustment). We are what my friend calls "beer-and-pizza wealthy". That is, we have enough money to qualify as being wealthy, albeit in a rather modest way (or maybe "bordering on wealthy" is the better term). I can afford to be generous.
But you wouldn't know it from my tight-fistedness. I'm a Scrooge, pre-ghosts. I need to adjust my attitude to be a Scrooge, post-ghosts. I'm willing, but seem unable. Too bad I can't get three spirits (past, present and future) to help show me the error of my ways.
Thanks for your note, John, and especially for your candor about yourself. I think you speak for a lot of people. I also keep wondering about your wife's "less polite phrase"!
Thanks Mardy.
Interestingly, one of the main tenets of behavioral psychology can be stated this way: "It is easier to ACT your way into a new way of thinking, than it is to THINK your way into a new way of acting." In a practical illustration - acting happy when you're down will help change your "attitude" (mental state) faster that thinking happy thoughts will. Or so the tenet would have us believe. Try it both ways. It'll be good for you.
Again, thank you Mardy, for being the first and best part of my Sunday. An also the best challenge to me mentally each week. Your work affects my attitude.
Thanks for your kind words, Mike. I've always loves that quote ("It's always easier to act your way into a new way of thinking...") and not simply because it's great example of chiasmus. I'm delighted to have you as a subscriber.
The exercise you mentioned was helpful. But my problem now is that I have some ideas on good attitude adjustments to make, but I'm having trouble making them.
This reminded me of the Wright brothers, who have a good claim to have invented the first viable airplane. But what they invented was a control system for an airplane more than the airplane itself. For the first time, a pilot could reliably control the yaw (rudder), pitch (elevator) and roll (wing-warping). Though wing-warping didn't work well and was soon replaced by ailerons, three-axis control remains the same in concept as when the Wright brothers first mastered it.
It would help a lot if we had a reliable control system for our emotional attitudes, but for me at least, I don't. I struggle to control them.
Thanks John. You are right. Knowing that we would benefit from an attitude change is one thing, and making the change is quite another.
Hi Mardy,
I enjoyed this week's post, and can't help thinking about the aphorism, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Attitude seems to be much more than a mere mental exercise, but a posture that engages one's whole being and approach to life.
I loved this one!!! Such a great reminder. Also have enjoyed the many comments below.
Thanks, MDB. Always nice to hear from you.