Success starts with attitude!

With the right attitude, I believe anything is possible. Sometimes making some small minor adjustments can change everything! Sometimes it's also what we need to do to have any future success.

I have two little stories to tell for those that may find the time to look over if interested.

Story No. 1 - Inside a Correctional Centre in the far north of Canada.

Working in a small Correctional Centre for approximately 8yrs have shown me that with the right attitude anything is possible. If you have the right mind-set, you can excell from square one to make a complete turn around leading you to the ultimate success.

A little story about one situation that changed someones entire life completely. A man I used to know - Let's call him "John" for the sake of the story. John was raised by his parents who would do, not so very nice things to John.

As the years went by, John accepted this type of behaviour as "normal" and proceeded to do the same thing that was done to him which had now landed him in his situation of being incarcerated for a number of years. Unfortunately John made a mistake by taking this anger out on someone else.

While working with John, he explained to me the things that his father did to him growing up. He continued by telling me that as an outcome, about how he too became the person he detested which was the reason for his incarceration. John explained that he have not talked to his father for many years due to the things his father did to him.

After talking with John about his situation and about how being able to heal from his previous experience starts with forgivness, It made John re-think his situation and what he had experienced that caused his family to fall apart. We had a small conversation about our faith and then proceeded to go about our own ways.

One evening upon returning to the Jail for my evening shift, John approached me asking if he could speak with me privately. Due to being available at this time, I escorted John to the program room where we talked about his life, where he stood and what his plans were for the future. John informed me that after our conversation, he finally - after years of avoidance contacted his father. John informed that he had a great conversation and that this was the first time he had talked to his father in approximately 10-15yrs.

What we can learn from this example, is that everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has been through something that nobody else have ever experienced, nor could even begin to imagine just what life would/could be like going through something as the above example.

We are all human, and we all make mistakes. Making mistakes is what needs to happen for us to be able to heal and recover. Johns attitude and positive outlook on the situation changed his life completely. Upon being released, I have never seen John return to the jail where he would frequent on a monthly basis as he was a repeat offender.

John did in fact thank me for the discussion as we parted ways.

From the above example, it shows that sometimes we have to take that uncomfortable step to right some of the wrongs we have made in life. This will show you just how success starts with the right attitude.

Story No. 2 - Transit Terminal

When working for a transit terminal back in 2000, some of my co-workers were telling me aboue this young teen who was doing things that were not really appropriate for her age (or any age for that matter). Once agian, for the sake of the story, lets call her "Nikki".

Nikki would arrive at the Terminal and use the pay phones to make her "appointments" then leave for an hour or so. She would return, just to repeat the same behaviour numerous times throughout my shift. After a little while, I would make some small talk with Nikki, hoping to provide her some encourament.

One day Nikki arrived and was siting on the bench waiting for her next appointment when I approached her. Upon walking up to her, I started the conversation by saying "Nikki, Nikki, Nikki... what are you doing!" She looked at me a little surprised then asked what I meant.

I informed her that I knew all about what she was doing and why she was here. I then proceeded to ask her if she ever wanted to get married in the future, have children and a house of her own. She agreed - She wanted this so bad. I then asked if she thought what she was doing would lead her down that road to success. Nikki appeared to think a little more, smiling as she put her head down. I explained to her that as she was a very pretty girl, a great personality that she has the potential to do anything she want's to in life and that her life is in her own hands. I further explained that the longer she continues this behaviour, the harder it will be for her to return to the norm.

As we talked, my co-worker approached and suprisingly enough, engaged in the conversation the EXACT same way I started: "Nikki, Nikki, Nikki, what are you doing!". Nikki laughed and was surprised that once again, someone was showing concern for her wellbeing.

After a small talk, Nikki left and went on her own way.

Approximately 3-5months went by in which Nikki was nowhere to be seen.

One day, Nikki arrived at the Terminal, and ran to me as if she was my long lost best friend. As tight as she could, Nikki wrapped her arms around me and thanked me.

I was a little thrown off at first, as I don't really know Nikki in that way, but I asked where she had been and why I don't see much of her anymore.

Nikki explained that after our converstion that week, she was arrested for traffiking in which she spent three months incarcerated in a youth facility. Upon being released, Nikki said that she was thinking about what we talked about, and she made the choice to give up the lifestyle that landed her in jail.

Nikki had moved back in with her grandparents and re-enrolled back into highschool to persue her education and future career.

Sometimes we need modivation to keep going in the right direction. We can, and will continue to make many mistakes, but when you finally make the right choice, you will know you are headed in the right direction and be thankful that the negative experience you have learned also aided in your own development as a human being.

I believe these two stories we can all relate to.

We all have dreams, we all have goals and we are all equal looking to excel in the same business. We rely on each other, help each other and motivate each other even at times when we feel nobody is listening. In a way - We are all family.

I shared these two stories to show that no matter how bad life can get, we always have many options that are sometimes right under our noses. Trial and error is something we all use to excel in what we believe is possible. Success starts with attitude! You need to think about what your thinking about. If those thoughts are not adding positive reinforcment into your life, then those thoughts need to be removed from your head. Discard them as they are no longer valid and are not helping your current situation.

Keep your faith - You never know what may be just around the corner.

And most importantly - Don't give up!

~Dave