Attitude

My dad always told me,
Your attitude determines your altitude,
How high will you go?
My answer then was I don’t know.

My mom always stated,
Do your best and the rest will be handled,
And don’t let people burn you like a candle.
Those statements were a hard pill to swallow.
Especially when our day to day lives often
Cause us to encounter beings whose hearts are hollow.

Whether it is positive or negative,
Your attitude is a true description of you.
Your actions speak louder than words.
People are people so what should it be?
You and I should get along not terribly,
But work together in harmony.

My mom and dad were right.
Just because someone may deliberately hurt you,
You can’t always come back with a fight.
That person may be doing that in spite,
Because they wish they were you,
And to himself, he is being untrue.

Now I know where I’m going,
To altitudes of extreme positive magnitudes,
To places I have never seen,
And doing things that I never dreamed,
That I would do.

It’s not easy to let go of things of the past.
That may have shifted you to a magnitude of negative.
You have to add that the situation did not cause death.
Let it go, in other words, subtract it, and it will be handled
So you will not be burned like a candle.

Your attitude is a true description of you.
Your actions speak louder than words.
People are people so what should it be?
You and I should get along not terribly,
But work together in harmony.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Smith Avatar
February 23, 2018 at 7:43 PM
Great life lessons in there, thanks for sharing this wisdom!
Mason Avatar
June 27, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Wonderful writing, Nicole. I like the way you've added to the philosophy of your parents with your own great attitude ... smile ... this is a well-deserved write to be featured this week at the Soup! Congratulations!
Bonnette Avatar
June 25, 2009 at 9:20 PM
So true... this poem really reminded me how to properly think! The world would be a better place if we all did this.
Brown Avatar
June 25, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Congratulations on your featured poem this week. May you have many more Nicole. Love, Carol
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
June 25, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Congrats Nicole on "Attitude" being featured. This makes a lot of sense. Attitude can change the way you percieve things. Vince
Jordan Avatar
June 23, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Nicole - Congratulations on having your poetry featured this week, God Bless, MJ
Tugaff Avatar
June 23, 2009 at 1:51 PM
You're absolutely right my friend. Congratulations on your featured poem. Ernilando
Fraser Avatar
June 22, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Extremely well written poem Nicole, and so so many truths here>>James
 Avatar
June 21, 2009 at 6:29 PM
So much truth in your words. Thank you for sharing this view with us. Congratulations on having your poem featured. Wishing you ongoing success with your writing. Karen
Steadman Avatar
May 17, 2009 at 10:21 PM
really great poem and very well penned!...Luke
Gumbo Avatar
May 17, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Applause applause!!!!! This is outstanding and such a true and right on message! Great poetry my friend!
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