Attitude: A Story of Inspiration and Strength
Jerry’s Inspiring Attitude
Have you ever wondered how some people seem to remain positive no matter what life throws at them? They exude happiness and always seem to look on the bright side, even when things go wrong.
We’ll explore the inspiring story of Jerry, a restaurant manager who mastered the art of choosing positivity in every situation.
This story isn’t just about Jerry’s experiences; it’s a powerful lesson about how our attitude shapes our lives.
Our professor, who had personal contact with him, narrated the story in one of our management training sessions.
Meet Jerry - The Eternal Optimist
Jerry was a restaurant manager. His remarkable trait was his always-good mood and positive outlook, regardless of the circumstances.
Whenever someone asked him, “How are you doing?” his cheerful reply was always, “If I were any better, I’d be twins!”
It wasn’t just his words that made him stand out; it was his energy. His infectious attitude made him a magnet for the staff he worked with.
Many waiters who worked under him followed him from one restaurant to another whenever he changed jobs.
Why? Because of his attitude. Jerry was more than just a boss; he was a natural motivator.
When an employee was having a bad day, he would step in and help them see the brighter side of things.
A Question of Curiosity
Seeing Jerry’s perpetual positivity sparked my curiosity. How could anyone always stay so upbeat?
One day, I decided to ask him. I approached him and said, “Jerry, I don’t get it. No one can be positive all the time. How do you do it?”
Jerry smiled and replied, “Each morning, I wake up and say to myself, ‘You have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood, or you can choose to be in a bad mood.’ I always choose to be in a good mood.”
Surprised by his answer, I continued to ask, “But what about when something bad happens? How can you stay positive then?”
Jerry explained, “Whenever something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim, or I can choose to learn from it.
I always choose to learn from it. When people complain to me, I can accept them or point out the positive side of life. I always choose the positive side.”
Life is About Choices
At this point, I couldn’t help but protest. “But Jerry, it’s not that easy!”
He smiled again and said, “Yes, it is. Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the extra noise, every situation boils down to a choice.
You choose how to react to situations. You choose how other people will affect your mood. You choose whether you want to be in a good mood or a bad mood. In the end, it’s your choice how you want to live your life.”
A Life-Changing Incident
Years later, Jerry’s positive outlook was put to the ultimate test. One morning, he made a mistake in his restaurant that could have cost him his life.
He accidentally left the back door of the restaurant open, and three armed men barged in while he was opening the safe.
His hands were trembling with fear as the robbers threatened him, and in his nervousness, his hand slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him.
Jerry was found quickly and rushed to the hospital. He endured 18 hours of surgery and weeks of recovery, with fragments of the bullets still lodged in his body.
Despite everything, his attitude remained intact.
The Power of Choice in the Face of Adversity
I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. Curious to know how he had handled such a traumatic experience, I asked him, “How are you?”
In true Jerry fashion, he smiled and replied, “If I were any better, I’d be twins! Want to see my scars?”
I politely declined but asked him what had gone through his mind during the robbery.
Jerry told me, “The first thing that crossed my mind was that I should have locked the back door.
But after I was shot and lying on the floor, I remembered I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live.”
Facing Death with Humour and Determination
I was shocked by Jerry’s calm demeanour about such a near-death experience. “Weren’t you scared?” I asked.
Jerry continued, “The paramedics were great. They kept assuring me that I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room, I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses. In their eyes, I could see it — they thought I was a dead man. That’s when I knew I had to take action.”
“What did you do?” I asked eagerly.
“Well,” Jerry said with a grin, “this big nurse was shouting questions at me. She asked if I was allergic to anything.
I took a deep breath and yelled, ‘Bullets!’ Everyone burst out laughing, and I said to them, ‘I’m choosing to live.
Please operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.’”
Jerry survived that day, not just because of the doctors’ skills but also because of his incredible attitude.
Even in the face of death, he chose humour and optimism.
The Lesson
What did I learn from Jerry that day? Life is a series of choices.
Every day, you can choose how you feel, how you react, and what you focus on.
Jerry’s story showed me that your attitude is the one thing that no one can take from you.
It’s truly yours and the key to living a life full of positivity, even when things go wrong.
So, next time you face a challenge, remember Jerry’s story.
You can choose your attitude, and life becomes much more manageable when you choose positivity.
Conclusion
Jerry’s story is more than just a tale of survival; it exemplifies the power of attitude.
His life proves that you have a choice, even in the most challenging moments. You can choose to let circumstances defeat you or rise above them with a smile.
Attitude is everything. So, take care of yourself because it will define your life.
