My parents taught me very early about the importance of attitude. Learning how to adjust it was a very important part of my up-bringing.
However, I first heard about the "10/90 rule" in regards to attitude and life during my teen years from Charles Swindoll. I had the following quote posted in my closet during high school so I could be reminded of its truth daily:
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company . . . a church . . . a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past . . . we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you . . . we are in charge of our Attitudes.” (Charles Swindoll)
This is always true, but it is especially true when dealing with living in another country. I must carefully guard my attitude and reaction to the things around me. Sometimes it is a self-talk discussion where I must tell myself to choose to think and, thus, feel a certain way.
Let me give you an example.
I live among thousands of Taiwanese people in a huge apartment complex. I don't get a lot of mail, so I check my mail box regularly but not often. The apartment complex has security guards who are supposed to watch the comings and goings of the people and open the safety bar to allow residents to park in the basement.
These security guys also tell me when I have mail. (This is not part of their job description.)
At first, it was only when I got a package that they would gesture making the shape of a box and shout "package" in Chinese at me when I rode in on my scooter. Then they started telling me about every.piece.of.mail--every postcard, every bill, every advertisement. Friday night, one of them even ran down from his basement bar-opening post, shouting my name in Chinese as I disappeared up the stairs in order that he might get to my mailbox and open it so that he could be ready to help me retrieve my electricity bill.
So, I have a choice.
I can (A) feel annoyed that I and my mailbox are being watched so closely and/or feel annoyed that these men don't think I am adult enough to check my own mail or (B) be grateful that the security guys care about me and want to make sure I get my mail in a timely manner.
It might not seem like it, but I tell you sometimes B is a really hard choice to choose.
And this is just one example. Here are some more:
People stare at me. Do I (A) decide this is rude and start to harbor negative feelings towards all strangers or (B) remember that I might be the first or one of the few white people they've ever seen in person and be grateful for their interest in me?
Children and teens shout strange things to me in English. Do I (A) ignore them and grumble inside about how bad their English is or (B) with a smile and a glance in their direction, shout a pleasant reply back because really they might be trying to be friendly?
Complete strangers ask me stupid questions. Do I (A) put them off and get offended by their nosiness or (B) try to be as friendly as I can as I once again answer the same stupid question for the umpteenth time this month, being thankful for their interest in me? (Actually, even the fact that I am choosing to call it a "stupid question" lets you in on the fact that I am choosing to think these questions are stupid when I could choose to think of them as friendly "get to know questions" instead.)
And the list goes on . . . and on . . . and on.
And again, it might not seem like it, but I tell you sometimes it is really hard to choose B.
But, let me tell you this too . . . when I do choose B, life is OH SO MUCH better. Sweeter. Enjoyable. The world is friendlier and living here is great.
And, in reality, because I am supposed to be salt and light, choosing B makes sharing Christ's love so much easier. Not just because "they" see a changed person, but also because my 'tude is right and I can actually feel loving towards "them."
When I start to choose As more often then Bs it time for me to spend some extra time alone with the One who excels at 'tude-adjusting.
This is a post every missionary out there ought to read. I know it spoke to me! All of us face incredible obstacles on the mission field, but what makes all the difference is how we react (attitude) to those thousand annoying things that take place every day.
Posted by: Guy Muse | Monday, July 16, 2007 at 09:36 AM
Thank you so much for posting this!!! It really hit home for me and I have 2 teenagers. Think I will just print this out and let them have a read. Thanks again, your blog is such a blessing to me.
Posted by: Andie | Monday, July 16, 2007 at 09:56 AM
What a wonderful post, Amanda! So true!
Posted by: Deb | Monday, July 16, 2007 at 11:16 AM
Thanks for sharing that Swindoll quote particularly!
Posted by: aussietigger1980 | Monday, July 16, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Thanks for that. Missionary or not we all need a reminder- especially me! My attitude affects things greatly- and it is one of those things that it is all too easy to let slip.....like the comments about my pregnancy size and the fact that I still have 12 weeks left ( and yes technically that is actually less than three months!)..........
Posted by: Susanna | Monday, July 16, 2007 at 06:52 PM
I voted for you! Not a whole lot of folks, so your odds look good! :-)
And as far as this post -- one word -- OUCH.
Okay, you know I can't stop at one word.
Even after FIVE years, this is still a BATTLE. Making the CHOICE to LOVE, to be patient, to answer the STUPID (yes, it's stupid to ask someone who just told you she's lived in China for 5 years if she likes Chinese food and can use chopsticks! DUH!!) questions with grace.
I need this reminder DAILY. That's why I need a daily QT. I am so not good at this without HIS grace.
Posted by: Jimmie | Monday, July 16, 2007 at 09:57 PM
Gosh, this is so true. I've often wondered why it is that we have to make a conscious effort to go with (b). Why is it our automatic tendency to go with (a)? I try to see the positive instead of the negative, but boy, is it hard sometimes!!
This post reminds me of a Dr. Phil book I read a couple years ago. He says the only thing in our lives we can control is how we respond. We can't control what happens or how people treat us, but we can control how we respond to it. We're responsible for our own happiness and our reactions are the basis for that. Sooo similar to your Charles Swindoll reference (although I haven't read his).
Great post.
Posted by: Candice | Monday, July 16, 2007 at 11:39 PM
God is gracious.
It seems like we all universally struggle with the same things.
Signed,
a clay pot posting about what God is teaching her
Posted by: amanda | Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 07:38 AM
Wow this post is a great reminder. I'm struggling with it right now in relation to my marriage, because I tend to get annoyed so easily for no logical reason. You're right about choosing (b) makes life sweeter, but it's SUCH a more difficult choice!
Posted by: ashley @ twentysixcats | Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 08:04 AM