"Votre vie est déterminée non pas tant par ce que la vie vous apporte que par l'attitude que vous apportez à la vie"

The heart of this quote is all about perspective. It’s not so much the stuff that happens to you that shapes your life, but how you choose to look at and react to those events. You know, life’s a mixed bag—it throws some curveballs and some sweet pitches, and it’s up to us to decide how we’re going to swing at them.

Let’s take Victor Frankl, for instance. He was a psychiatrist who survived the horrors of Nazi concentration camps. He saw the worst of humanity, yet he realized that even in the direst of situations, we have the freedom to choose our attitude. Frankl found meaning in his suffering and believed that our attitude can help us find purpose, even in the darkest times.

Think about it like this: imagine two people lose their jobs on the same day. The first person sees it as the end of the world, drowning in self-pity and despair. They might give up, feeling like life has dealt them an unfair hand. The second person, however, sees it as an opportunity. They think, “Hey, maybe this is my chance to finally start that business I’ve been dreaming about or explore a new career path.” The same event, two completely different outcomes—all because of their attitudes.

If you want to harness the wisdom in this quote, start by paying attention to your thoughts. When something goes wrong, catch yourself before you spiral into negativity. Instead, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this? How can I turn it around?” It’s all about re-framing the situation. Practice gratitude, too. Even when things are tough, there’s usually something to be thankful for. And gratitude can really shift your attitude from gloom to bloom.

Here’s a little story to illustrate this point. Picture Sarah, a single mom juggling two jobs to make ends meet. One day, her car breaks down. Now, she could easily fall into despair—how’s she going to get to work? How’s she going to pay for the repairs? But instead, she takes a deep breath and thinks, “Okay, this sucks, but it’s not the end of the world. Maybe I can catch a ride with a coworker or look into public transportation. And maybe, just maybe, this is a sign that I need to find a job closer to home or one with better pay.” By refusing to let the situation get the better of her, Sarah maintains control over her life.

Attitude is like a muscle. The more you work on it, the stronger it becomes. Next time life throws you a curveball, try to hit it out of the park with a positive mindset. Sure, it’s easier said than done, but with practice, you’ll find that your attitude can indeed shape your reality. Imagine the possibilities.