Why Your Attitude Affects Others (and Your Health!)

Your attitude is an example to others.

A final important note: If our attitude is so important as to impact not only our mental health but our physical condition, then it is even more important that we be good role models to the world and not bad ones.

As I shared this research with colleagues and friends, I heard multiple stories about people in their lives who had vividly demonstrated the power of a beautiful attitude: this colleague’s mother had faced devastating terminal cancer with such grace and faith; this friend’s brother had endured chronic physical pain without wallowing in self-pity (which, my friend assured me, would probably have been justified!). Seeing the attitude of their loved ones had a long-term impact on the people telling me the stories, including on their own desire to function with a sense of meaning, purpose, and joy.

I mentioned in an earlier blog just how supportive the cancer community is, and how striking is the sense of peace and even joy at the cancer center where I receive my own care. In thinking about all this, I realized that this mutually reinforcing positive attitude is one of the key factors responsible for that sense of support. Because a poor attitude is so out of place, it probably won’t last very long.

Like everyone else, I have in the past encountered members of the medical profession who are caring, I’m sure, but who are busy and quite short with their patients. One day at the cancer center, I was quite jarred—even shaken –by the dismissive words and actions of one particular nurse. It took me almost the whole drive home to realize the issue: because she was not particularly supportive in her words or tone, she stuck out like a sore thumb in an environment where everyone is kind to each other!

Again: what was the difference? Attitude.