Attitude

As the stress level increases, so does the yearn for a 'smoke' break. I have now taken to 'popping a lozenge' once in awhile throughout the course of the working day. I have guilt for actually INCREASING the use of these lozenges instead of doing away with them altogether. (I started this process by allowing myself only one a day). Of course my concern is that my resolve is weakening.... When I 'started the quit' the stress level was at a minimum, it is now beyond maximum. I wonder, however, if perhaps it is not the 'nicodemon' - who constantly rests on my shoulder - that is contributing to the feeling of being out of control - the incredible sensation of 'drowning' - even though I am not submerged in water..... Perhaps the 'life lesson' that I can glean from this process is to develop a better ATTITUDE. What is ATTITUDE? A predisposition or a tendency to respond positively or negatively towards a certain idea, object, person, or situation. Attitude influences an individual's choice of action, and responses to challenges, incentives, and rewards (together called stimuli). Four major components of attitude are (1) Affective: emotions or feelings. (2) Cognitive: belief or opinions held consciously. (3) Conative: inclination for action. (4) Evaluative: positive or negative response to stimuli. The key word in this definition I think is 'predisposition'. Perhaps in an effort to obtain a more positive ATTITUDE, I should be less hasty to form opinions. When one has an 'opinion' then one predisposes oneself to an attitude towards a 'certain idea, object, person or situation'. When one forms an opinion, then one must defend that opinion. In order to defend that opinion, one must develop an attitude. When one developes an attitude, then one becomes closed to other points of view. Ha - the process of creating this post was - in a word - a 'process' (tee hee) A little soul searching, self evaluation, and yes - a little painful. NOTE TO SELF - find a method to develop an attitude that will not only make my life-journey more pleasant, but more importantly find a way to 'let my life be a beacon'.