Hannah Nale focuses on attitude

As volleyball practice begins, tears roll down my cheeks. My head pounds from the stress of the day as the struggles of friendships fill my mind. With shoulders slouched, a smile upside down, and eyes facing the floor, I enter the locker room.

Coach enters the gym ‘high’ on caffeine; her whistle blows and the running starts. I repeat quietly to myself: “I’m tired, I’m done.”

Later, I arrive home still sweaty, passing my parents, brothers, and foreign exchange student in the kitchen. No comments needed. The door clicked behind me as I entered my room. Finally a moment to breathe.

Flying through my pages of homework while nibbling at my dinner, and a quick shower is all I have time for. Snuggled in bed, exhausted, my eyes lay awake. Ready to repeat the same thing tomorrow.

While this played out last week, negative thoughts can form anyone’s typical day into a bad one. Too often I allow circumstances or others opinions to form how I feel or react to struggles.

Sadly, I often get lost in this world but I’ve heard that “Life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent how you react.”

A positive attitude is a choice and I thank the Lord. God instructs me during my journey; it may not be glamourous, but through a decision to be thankful despite trials, I know I’ll grow through them. –Hannah Nale

Through my rough days I try to focus on this quote, remembering that my day is what I make it. With a positive mindset, I can have a positive life. It’s when I forget to stop and refresh my mind and soul that I have a bad day.

How do I turn this around through thankfulness? The writer to 1 Thessalonians 5:18 writes, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

I often let my circumstances define my day; however by choice and after reacquainting myself with God’s word, I can and will be thankful. This is a daily choice.

And after a most historical presidential election, the same can be true for millions of Americans.

Whether or not I am a Trump or Clinton fan, I have and will determine to support the next President. God not only calls me to follow my teachers and parents but also calls me to follow our countries leaders and today that is Donald Trump. I pledge to pray for God’s wisdom for all of them.

A positive attitude is a choice and I thank the Lord. God instructs me during my journey; it may not be glamourous, but through a decision to be thankful despite trials, I know I’ll grow through them.

God, Thank you, thank you for blessing me with disappointments and struggles. Go before me Lord and lead me safely onto my next assignment. Shift my mind to be positive, shining your light always, Amen.

Senior Hannah Nale is the campus Associated Student Body President and writes an occasional column. For her previous post, read Column: President encourages everyone to shed unrighteous mask.