"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, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, 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 every day 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% how I react to it. And so it is with you; we are in charge of our attitudes." -Charles R. Swindoll

Years ago my dad gave my sisters and I cards that had that quote written in it and told us that there is going to be a lot of stuff that is going to impact us in our lives, but at the end of the day, it is how we react that is going to make the difference.

Being a young teenager, I didn't really understand the significance of what he was saying. I was naive and immature. I had lived a very protected and sheltered life, which is not a knock at my parents. They did everything in their power to keep us safe and cared for. We didn't grow up in poverty. We never went without. My parents gave us everything we ever wanted. When my dad gave me that card, I had no idea the heartache I'd endure in the years to come.

Between family issues, personal struggles and the catastrophes that plague this world, it has become evermore evident to me that I can't control what is happening. As much as I hope and pray to wake up to a day without the darkness and hatred that has plagued our days lately, I know that I am the only thing I can control. My attitude is the only thing I can effect.

I can choose to wallow in self pity. I can chose to turn a blind eye to the countless senseless deaths that are becoming too common in our daily lives. I can choose to hold a grudge or to choose anger in response to a disagreement. I can choose to be self absorbed and concerned with my life only.

Or I can chose to use my voice. I can choose to greet anger with peace. I can choose to take the higher road when faced with an argument or disagreement. I can choose to speak for those who have had their voices muted. I can choose to succumb and say, "this is too much," or I can choose to wake up everyday and say, "I am in control of myself today."

Too often we allow ourselves to get beaten down and give in to the circumstances we find ourselves in. However, we can't control the way the cards are dealt. We can't control the inevitable destiny we are chosen to face. However, the one thing we can control is our attitude. We can choose to complain or we can choose to rejoice in the fact that we have been given these circumstances because God knows that we have the strength to overcome that and even if we can't find the strength, He will give us the strength. God only gives His hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.

We can chose to allow ourselves to be crushed or we can choose to overcome. It's not easy and in many situations, many are quick to say that it is downright impossible, but the human spirit is a curious thing. In the most absolute desolate of situations it can find that spark to keep the fire going. Find your spark. Hold on to that spark because in time, that spark will be enough to set your life on fire. Don't lose your spark.

Control your attitude. Look at the situations you find yourself in and acknowledge that your fate is inevitable. You can change fate, but you can control the way you react to your fate.