39: Positive Attitude for Positive Living (Part 1)
The Qur'anic statement "Could the consequence of goodness be anything but good" motivates us towards that which is beneficial and positive.
Empowerment begins with seeing the possibilities not just the problems; Seeing the positive not just the negative. It is in this regard that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is reported to have cautioned, "Pessimism is part of bad character."
Change of Perspective
Empowerment means changing our perspective on ourselves, on those around us and on the world we live in. We must realize that the thoughts we hold in our minds, over time, become our attitudes and these attitudes become the blueprint of our experiences in life.
Successful living often emanates from ...
- having a positive attitude Husnuz Zann
- by being the best that one can be Ihsaan / Itqaan
- while bringing out the best in others. Wa ahsin kamaa ahsanallahu 'alaik
Attitudes are ...
- emotional responses to situations, people or ideas; encompassing the things one does that outwardly reflects one's mood and beliefs.
- mental tones and outward expressions of one's thoughts and feelings that affect how we act or react and invariably influences how others react towards us.
Since the object of an attitude is to exhibit or display one's internal feeling it directly influences one's behavior.
Negative Attitudes
- Negative attitudes often emanate from pre-existing biases or prejudices that then become manifest in one's relationship with others.
- If one's thoughts, opinions and words are pessimistic, defeatist, suspicious, ever critical and hostile then one's attitude is certainly negative.
- Be aware, if the only tool one has is a hammer, one tends to treat everything else like a nail. Our attitudes could motivate us to action or debilitate us into inactivity. If you believe you can, you are right; if you believe you can't, you are right; for if you really want to do something you can find a way, if you don't want to do it you could always find an excuse.
If we are cognizant of the fact that attitudes indicate our approach to daily living we will realize how damaging negative attitudes are to our sense of well-being; they dictate our whole life.
Attitude affects life
While people with negative attitudes remain victims of circumstance, people with positive attitudes rise above their circumstances and become architects of life, positively impacting on their own destiny. The great Islamic poet-reformer, 'Allama Muhammad Iqbal, made reference to this when he said: "Imbue your self with such positive drive that before destiny takes effect, there is a consideration on the part of the Divine to consider your plan of action."
- A renowned medieval Islamic scholar, Ibn Taymiyyah, who opposed the injustices and oppression perpetrated by the Muslim government of his day, was threatened by the authorities, warned to remain silent and shun public criticism and condemnation of the rulers or else suffer the consequence of either imprisonment, torture, exile or death. His response to the oppressors epitomizes the pinnacle of positive attitude. He said: "If you imprison me, I'll have some solace and time to meditate; if you torture me, I'll be rewarded by Allah for every suffering I undergo; if you exile me, I'll see the world at your expense; and if you kill me, I die a martyr. There is nothing you could do to undermine me."
Attitudes as a Reflection of the Self
Realize that attitudes are but reflections of our selves in the mirror of life. Often the way we are is the reason we act the way we act and get treated the way we do.
- Prophet 'Isa (Jesus pbuh) was responding with loving words to a person who was abusive towards him. An observer inquired as to why he was responding to hate with love. Jesus (pbuh) replied: "That person gives what is in his heart and I merely give what I have in mine." The lesson we learn from this is never to let even the negativity of others prevent the possibility of something positive from ourselves.
Choose to be Positive
One can choose to be either negative or positive in any given situation. You can't be both negative and positive
at the same time. Be positive. A positive attitude is contagious, don't wait to catch it from others; be a carrier
and pass it on. Positivity, like knowledge; when shared, is not halved but doubled.