Deb Copeland

Deb is an entrepreneur, a speaker and the author of the bestselling book, Attitude Therapy.

If today were my last day on Earth and I could share 500 words of brilliance with the world, here are the important things I'd want to pass along to others...

Don't Sabotage Your Attitude

Superstitions are irrational beliefs.  That is to say beliefs that are held in spite of evidence to the contrary.  The question I have is how many of you carry the daily burden of irrational beliefs and/or earlier life transgressions that work to sabotage your good efforts and attitude?  How many of you are going through difficult times with family members in rehab or you personally with your addictions, diseases and problems.

In my own life I have seen (and been a participant in) failed relationships, drug addiction and errant business ventures.  When these things happen, it is easy to let these "failures" weigh heavily upon your shoulders.  Some go so far as to willingly offer up these "lapses" as ammunition to provide to others so that we can justify our failure when these "lapses" are brought to bear against us.  It is truly an irrational belief to believe that if you have a checkered past, then you are not allowed to have a future.  Discounting the most egregious of circumstances, we all have the ability to change for the better.  We can all overcome adversity at various levels and who doesn't appreciate the underdog (can you say New York Giants or perhaps Martha Stewart?).  

I am reminded of an interview I saw once on MSNBC's Imus in the Morning, wherein the host, Don Imus, was interviewing the celebrated New Orleans musician Aaron Neville.  Don Imus, who has had his own recent transgressions, asked Mr. Neville if his criminal background ever presented problems for him.   Mr. Neville humbly responded (noting that he was not proud of what had happened in the past), but indicated to Mr. Imus, that everything that had happened to him in the past was a part of what had made him who he is today. In a society that looks to blame others and create excuses for failure, how many of us are willing to be so honest and candid?

None of us are 100 % happy with our past. Likewise, there are things that will inevitably happen (despite our best efforts to the contrary) that will make you feel like curling up in a corner of your home and never coming out again.  How you choose to react when that happens is up to you and up to you alone.  My new favorite motto is MY ATTITUDE IS NOT ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME BUT RATHER HOW I CHOOSE TO RESPOND TO WHAT IS HAPPENING.

Maturity teaches us that we need a past on which to base our future actions...  The past cannot be ignored, but it does not necessarily need to weigh upon you like the proverbial albatross.  If it is your desire to carry the albatross, then there is little doubt that your life will become a self-fulfilling prophecy of disappointment.  But, have you ever considered that your past will be someone else's future salvation? Your ability to overcome can be the roadmap for co-workers, friends and family to realize that life goes on & that you alone choose your attitude.