Attitude

I was thinking yesterday of how important attitude is.

Yet when I looked it up it became clear to me that it is important to define what I have in mind when I use the word attitude. It became obvious that when I say attitude it can mean different things to different people. For example, it is often said that someone has an “attitude.” It is seen as a negative thing. Something that puts a distance between the one with the “attitude” and those they are addressing.

It made me think that in so much a clear definition is important. Like the word “father”. I may use it based on a good experience.
Others on the other hand may have had a very bad experience of father, and my using that word is like waving a red flag to a bull.

So I have not changed my thinking but I realize that when I say the word “attitude” I am talking about an “open, teachable” thing. One that does not assume they all there is to know about something, but is willing to hear another out and learn things.

It is funny that when I am taught something I deliberately come for a place of knowing nothing (sometimes that is real easy as I really do know nothing). But at other times I know enough to be able to do a certain task, but I deliberately do not let on as I find it is the best way to learn something new. It may be just one or two things, but it is a key for me to doing something better.

So when I say “attitude” is the key, I think it is probably “teachable attitude” is the key.

For me that matters a lot. Generally, I can pick up very quickly if someone is closed or open. Either way I know I can learn, but to me it is only with a “teachable attitude” anyone can learn something.

Closed can only become open if there is a willingness to consider. Consideration can be at the time of being made aware of something, or it can be at a later time when something is though about.

Either way progress can only be made when a thought is considered without prejudice. Maybe a conclusion has been reached a long time ago or maybe a conclusion is invited for the first time. Too me a “teachable attitude” considers a matter and draws its own conclusions based on the evidence at hand. While a closed attitude refuses to consider anything but what the person believes to be true based on nothing but having been told something and holding to that line.

Having a “teachable attitude” may lead down an unpopular lane or to places previously unexplored (I think Galileo saying the earth revolved around the sun) but is always leads to personal freedom (despite when silenced) and there is never anything worthwhile to be gained by shunning it.