Attitude Versus Circumstances; Two Worlds And A Thin Bridge Between -By Edwin Alivionote

Edwin Alivionote

The word diffusion in the sciences is the movement of molecules of substances from region of higher concentration to region of lower concentration. This is simply exemplified in the scenario of spraying a room freshener in the corner section of a room with high dose of the spray. Within some seconds, the entire room space will become saturated with the scent, it dispersed from the point of spray to other parts of the room where it is less in concentration. Though, I do not intend to engage in science tutoring, the instance of diffusion was the best introduction I could use to drive home my subject of interest.

Many a times, we wonder if we can avert some circumstances we refer to as bad from coming our way. The response to that is wishful-thinking; we are often not in control of what circumstances may come our way. But, thank heavens for the attitude with which we confront these events called circumstances. The circumstances we term as positive exude a welcoming, joyous, hopeful and relaxed attitude in us as they occur. While we can accommodate these positive circumstances, we detest and pray against the negative circumstances, which tears down our optimistic mind frame.

Practically speaking, circumstances cannot be purely negative or positive, they are subjected to the interpretations of our minds. Whatever the mind feels about a circumstance, it conditions the body to respond likewise, the response is what I refer to as attitude to circumstances. A child knows, the parents will celebrate him/her when the result bears As in all subjects. The same child feels very sad when he/she cannot secure an A in a major subject. This feeling of the child is largely subjected to the conditioning of the parents. If the parents made the child special gifts when the result is excellent all through and similarly, present a gift to the child for bringing home a result with some flaws, it drives home a message. At least the child knows that acing the papers earns him/her honour but failing in some aspect will not strip him/her of the same honour entirely.

The reason why some persons have built up a mindset to avoid some circumstances and wish for the favoured ones, is simply because, we are scared of disappointing mostly others and likewise ourselves. Circumstances, weather good or bad are functional tools of fixing our imperfect world to meet some needs. A man who has never known hunger and lacked money may never understand the need for giving and sympathy. We all require a balanced mind to enjoy the best of life. When negative circumstances present itself, the attitude we present should give us a disposition to seek out the essential lesson it presents as a potential for advancing our balance. Same goes for positive circumstances, we should embrace it with a reservation in our minds that it is not to be exploited but harnessed.

When bad circumstances confront us, we are laden with anxiety, sadness and sorrow, but understanding the reality of how good and bad trims out the beauty of our life, should cause diffusion in our attitude. The sad circumstances do not last forever so are the good ones. Hence, we are required to channel more of our efforts to having a positive attitude towards the events of life. The attitude which is infectious takes our circumstances to better ending for our good. The relocation of a family from a duplex apartment to a small apartment in a populated and noisy district will mean two things to two receptive attitudes. First receptive attitude; status demotion, collapse finances- this is accompanied with shame, withdrawal and isolation, self pity, sadness and frustration. The Second receptive attitude; Exploring a lower lifestyle, conservative spending- this is accompanied with calmness of mind, optimism, easy socialization which makes a return to fortune more likely to occur sooner than expected.