Attitude

"The greatest discovery of any generation, is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude." William James.

I am reading a book lent me by my daughter, Lessons From Everest by Dr. Tim Warren.  Very interesting learning the technical aspects of climbing Mt. Everest, but even more interesting in its applicability.  Both Mt. Everest and being a caregiver for dementia can be in inhospitable environments (created in the latter by the fallout of behaviors and mishaps), in both one has to find and use resources to survive, in both attitude is an important factor in how well you will do, and in both having the support of others is critical.  Dr. Warren failed in his first attempt to summit Mt. Everest, and he succeeded in his second both from his extra physical training in preparation and in his change of attitude.  He saw himself succeeding.  Let us today see ourselves succeeding (that is not just surviving but thriving) in this role of caregivers.  Dr. Warren had the mantra "summit and safe return".  Let us have a mantra as well; such as, "caregive with graciousness and thrive".