Just last week we were sitting at the table when I asked my 8 year-old to do something for me. I won’t bore you with the details but the way he responded did not make me happy. Brandi (my loving, but far too often truthful wife) quickly chimed in “He sounds just like you.” My first thought was, Me? Really? Me?

As if that wasn’t humbling enough later in the week I  had encounter with one of our staff at Cross Point which left me puzzled. It was a staffer that hasn’t been with us long and I can remember the excitement and incredible attitude they had towards ministry early on but the other day I picked up on a few negative attitudes they were displaying. I thought to myself, where did that come from? I immediately sensed God speaking to me (He can by annoying like my wife sometimes). They got it from you Pete. From you.

Again I thought, Me? Really? Me?

Too many times lately I’ve been reminded that it’s contagious. My attitude towards life, challenges, blessings, and criticism is extremely contagious.

I love this quote from Chuck Swindoll that I read years ago…

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

So, to play a similar role as God and my wife I now want to ask you. How are the attitudes of the people around you?

Your kids?
Your friends?
Your employees?
Your husband?

Why do I ask? Because while it’s hard to assess your own attitude all you really have to do is look at the attitudes around you.

It’s contagious. Extremely contagious.

Anyone need an attitude adjustment?