What does that word mean to you?
Definition: the way a person views something or tends to behave towards it.
What is "it."
I guess "it" could be many things whether positive or negative like divorce, marriage, school, work, life, freedom, America, God, exercise, diet, food, love, etc. As I mention each one of those things different feelings are evoked within me, some negative and some positive.
One of the things I go back and forth on is exercise. Sometimes I have a positive attitude and sometimes not. It would be a good time to mention that I am a Zumba instructor. Sometimes I love doing it, sometimes I don't.
I had a unique opportunity recently because of Zumba.
I was invited to do a two hour Zumba class for approximately 100 women! I was so excited. In a normal Zumba class for me I have approximately 8 to 12 women.
I was a little nervous when I got there. I was greeted by women of different shapes, sizes, color and age. They had one thing in common though...they were ready to do some Zumba!
I was a little nervous when I first started the class but very quickly I could hear the women behind me laughing, shouting and having a blast! There were at least 50 women there, smiling, laughing and having fun.
The women were so talented that I had some of them come up and help me lead the class. They were awesome! I don't think they realized how much fun I had and how much they had inspired me!
So, you may be wondering, "What was so inspiring and so great, women are women, right?"
Wrong! What made these women so inspiring is that these women are in prison. This Zumba class was held in a recreational center inside a women's prison. Some of these women are sentenced 10 years or longer. They have husbands and children on the outside. I was blown away by their positive attitudes in what should be a negative situation.
We have two options when bad things happen to us. 1. Take it for what it is, have a positive attitude and make the best of it or 2. Be bitter
The women that I met during the Zumba class were choosing to take option 1! They were all extremely happy and had positive attitudes. I was so inspired and excited. I have freedom right now that they don't have but they have one thing that I don't usually have, a positive attitude!
They are taking the time that has been handed to them and they are making the most of it. Some of those women exercise for hours at a time. They made me realize how weak and lazy I can be and how a positive attitude can make even the most negative of circumstances be beneficial.
I'm sure that each one of them has had bitter days in there and I know I have a hard time being positive in the face of negativity but what I witnessed that day inside those gates of iron were women that had positive attitudes and they inspired me to not complain, be thankful and do the best with what you have!
One more thing. I don't know if any of those women have decided to believe in Christ or not but, from what I saw, there was a definite light shinning in that facility. The women were beautiful, encouraging and lovely and I'm thankful for the opportunity and looking forward to my next visit to exercise with positivity!
So, what is your "it," and do you need an attitude adjustment?
Living Loved, Freely and Dancing
Elizabeth
