From the head

Here at Hyde, having the right attitude is encouraged and as the saying goes, "Nothing can help the person with the wrong attitude and nothing can stop the person with the right attitude."

 

Recently, in our school meeting, we addressed this theme and talked about those unproductive attitudes that hold us back, as well as those productive attitudes that elevate us. We used the analogy of an unproductive attitude as a "chair" that we carry around weighing us down. At times, we think that attitude is really who we are, even though we could put it down allowing us to move forward. On the other hand, our productive attitudes often do not get acknowledged, and so we can take them for granted. We asked the students and faculty to identify those attitudes that move us forward and those that weigh us down. Some examples included:

 

Hard worker

Optimistic

Sharing struggles

Asking for help

Truthful

 

Anger

I can't do this

Don't notice me

Quitter

Taking it personally 

 

We also explored deeper attitudes which included:

 

Taking on too much responsibility

Avoiding conflict

If you are not here for me, I am outta here

I'm not good enough

 

It was a powerful meeting. We listened and learned that we all have "chairs" that we could put down more often as well as strengths that we need to bet on. Some of the comments included:

 

"This meeting has helped me see myself in a new light."

"I can see the attitudes that get in my way."

"It was helpful to hear that we all have strengths."

 

As Charles Swindoll said,

"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 that 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."