A is for Attitude

One thing that has popped up has been Attitude. My attitude, my child's, my companion's attitude have been brought up several times this past week. I have a blended family of a preteen girl, a mid-twenty housemate, and myself of late 30s. Attitudes are varied and EVERYWHERE!

So, what is the definition of attitude? Dictionary.com lists it as: manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, especially of the mind. I feel it is how you approach people, places, things, and events in your life.

Attitude affects all aspects of our Life. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual areas are all affected by how we approach a person or thing. Negativity in one area WILL affect all the others. It may take lots of focus and attention to keep balance. Sometimes it is not internal or personal attitude that affects an area but your reaction to others' attitudes about something.

What does that have to do with being Pagan though? In my opinion and experience, quite a bit.  If you approach Paganism with suspicion and fear then you will more than likely miss all the amazing positive and empowering aspects of the spiritualism part of what it means to follow a Pagan Path. If you come with open heart and open mind then you may become more in tune with Divine and with yourself than you thought was possible. 

It isn't an easy path though. It takes an approach of dedication and hard work.  Nothing is accomplished without it. Nothing is just handed freely. Internal work and external work are needed. Part of internal work may be....Attitude!! (tada!) I feel you loose some of your power and connection with the world and the Divine without the right attitude of open mind and open heart.

What is your attitude towards the unknown? Towards church? Towards Spirituality? Towards those that follow different beliefs and paths than yours? What is your attitude towards others? 

Most importantly what is your attitude towards yourself?