This is one of my favorite quotes ever taken from a movie (and the more you read of my stuff, the more you’re going to realize how much I love movie quotes). What an absolutely profound statement though.

I’m enough of a realist to know that the whole, “Every cloud has a silver lining.” thing  is a pretty tough pill to swallow when life deals you a crap hand. But do you know what’s even more realistic? Knowing that every once in a great while, it’s simply your turn for that hand. It’s how you choose to deal with that hand that defines what kind of a person you’re going to be in life.

It’s easy to do the right thing when everything is going your way. It’s easy to get up with a positive attitude when life keeps dealing you Aces. But what about when you’re fighting a daily struggle with depression? Or if you’re the soldier on patrol in Afghanistan that walks on an IED and loses his leg? Pretty damn hard to see the silver lining now, isn’t it?

These are the situations where life puts you to the test. When life throws you in the grinder to see how tough you are, it’s your attitude that will get you through.

Attitude is not something that you have no control over. Attitude is not genetic. Attitude is a choice. Attitude is a conscious decision. Attitude is what determines if you are going to roll over and die in the face of adversity, or if you’re going to stand up, look your enemies in the eyes, and scream, molṑn labé!”

So the next time that you’re feeling overstretched, picked on by life, or that you just keep getting dealt a raw deal, ask yourself, “Is the problem really the problem? Or is the problem my attitude about the problem?” Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and approach it from a new angle. How can you get through? What about not just getting through, but getting through and shining? What about using this shit situation you’re in to show everybody exactly what you’re made of? Is it tinfoil, or titanium? You are the only one who gets to choose, because you’re the one choosing your attitude.

Now, take a moment to watch this incredibly inspirational video

By Clayton Pollack

His name is Clayton. He likes long walks on the beach, the way the grass smells after it rains… Oh, sorry, wrong profile. Clay grew up in Wisconsin, spending most of his formative years studying mixed martial arts and wrestling. He joined the Army when he turned 18. He was trained in communication systems at Ft. Gordon, GA, went through Airborne school in Ft. Benning, GA, and was stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC, with 4th Psychological Operations Group. He served his first tour in Iraq in 05-06, and his second during the Surge from 07-08. When he left active duty, he took a job as a military contractor in VA, and joined the National Guard. He spent his time in the guard with Maryland’s 1-158 Cav LRS-C (Long Range Surveillance Company). His duties in the military included satellite and radio communications, Psychological Operations, and hand to hand combat instructor. Clay also got married during his time in VA. He and his wife moved back to Wisconsin to start a family, and now have a beautiful daughter and son. He went back to school and earned his degree as a registered nurse, and got his certification in sports nutrition. He is now working towards his Bachelor's, with a long term goal of becoming an emergency surgical Physician's Assistant. He spends his free time playing with his kids, exercising, trail running, competing in triathlons and obstacle course races, and learning new skills from interesting projects he finds. Clayton subscribes to the Spotter Up way of life. “I will either find a way or I will make one”.

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