My wife tells the story about a peer who worked with her for years.  This woman was a supervisor of employees who handled customer complaints as well as sold the company's products.  And, occasionally the employees' customer service ratings would be low, so she would sing this song: 

"A  T  T  I  T  U  D  E  attitude"

            The reason that she sang the song was because she was convinced that their attitude greatly affected their customer service results.  I am convinced that she was correct.  Attitude is so important that it greatly impacts your health.

            I read an article from John Hopkins Medical Institution about a study presented to the American Heart Association.  They studied 600 adults with family history of heart disease.  The results showed that study participants with good attitudes were only half as likely as those with less optimistic outlook to have a heart event.  This result was seen regardless of age, race or gender.  (Authors are Lisa R Yanek, Taren F. Moy & Lewis C. Becker)

            Therefore, I would like to dedicate this article to share quotes about attitude.  A change in a person's attitude from being negative to being positive could do more for health than other remedies.

"   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 Swindol

"A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart."    Opening scene of "Faust"

"Little minds attain and are subdued by misfortunes, but great minds rise above them."    Washington Irving

"Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise.  Give lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down.  Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people."                Zig Ziglar

"Maturity is not a matter or arteries; it's a matter of attitude."                                                                                                 Randall D. Worley

"Think health, eat sparingly, exercise regularly, walk a lot, and think positively about yourself"                 Norman Vincent Peale

"I've never been poor, only broke.  Being poor is a frame of mind.  Being broke is only a temporary situation."        Mike Todd

"He can who thinks he can, and he can't who thinks he can't."  Orison Swet Marden

"The greatest discovery of our generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.  As you think, so shall you be."                                       William James

"Attitude determines altitude."                                    Unknown

"For success, attitude is equally as important as ability." 

Harry F. Banks

"Your attitude can take your forward or your attitude can take you down.  The choice is always yours."       Catherine Pulsifer

"If you don't like something, change it.  If you can't change it, change your attitude.  Don't complain."                  Maya Angelou

"A strong positive attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug."                                                          Patricia Neal

"Your attitude and the choices you make today will be your life tomorrow, build it wisely."                           Author unknown

"Ability is what you're capable of doing.  Motivation determines what you do.  Attitude determines how well you do it."                                                                                                                   Lou Holtz

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind."                         William James

            One of the first things that I say when I awaken in the mornings is, "this is the best day of my life."  Then, I continue to shape my day by speaking positive things about the day.  In other words, I control my attitude.  Depression will result in poor health.

            I hope that I have influenced you regarding your attitude.  Think about it and if you discover that you could stand an attitude adjustment - start today with making changes.  I know you can do it.  Remember, A  T  T  I  T  U  D  E, attitude.