Life comes at us pretty fast, and there are two kinds of people: those who are defined by their circumstances, and those who choose to define themselves in their circumstances.
With certain exceptions, we generally cannot control the circumstances of life. Sure, we can not take that drink at a bar, we can avoid being with a certain kind of person, or choose not to engage in a particular sort of activity. But for the most part, the circumstances of life slam into us because of the choices of others.
What we can control is our attitude, our outlook, and our reaction to those circumstances. We can be defined by them, or we can define them by the attitude and posture we choose to take despite them.
In the early 19th century, the English poet William Wordsworth described the “Character of the Happy Warrior” in an ode to Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson. Having already lost an arm and an eye in a previous battle, Nelson nonetheless refused to give up the fight or his good humor. (Nelson was eventually killed by a sniper while leading a successful battle, but even in death inspiring his men to greater success.)
The happy warrior, Wordsworth wrote, “Looks forward, persevering to the last … And, while the mortal mist is gathering, draws his breath in confidence of Heaven’s applause.”
In my experience, those who let themselves be defined by the prevailing circumstances of the fallen world are generally a cheerless and grumbling lot. They look back on times that were rarely as wonderful as they remember, and proceed to spend their remaining days mourning its passage.
On the other hand, those who ignore the hateful jeers of the world are much happier. They look forward joyfully to what they can achieve in their circumstances or the contribution they can make in the advancement of their ideas.
The difference is found in the daily choice of personal perspective. Will our attitude be dictated by others, or will we govern ourselves?
As a self-governing people, we must learn from the past and understand with clarity the present. Yet even more importantly, we must choose to be driven—happily—by our role in shaping and defining the possibilities of the future.
