Your attitude will determine your altitude is a common saying and one with a lot of truth in it too. I first came across this saying during my first years of teaching and I used to throw it at my students whenever the chance presented itself. I was just using it with no personal experience just head knowledge till a couple of years ago. When I look back at all that has happened in my life I ask myself this question: Would things have turned out the way they did had I responded differently? What I am trying to say is most of the time when bad things happen or when our desires are long in coming we lose faith, become embittered and despondent, and yet you never know maybe that setback was the last step before you get to your goal. Instead of allowing feelings to take over I think one should maintain a winning attitude and persevere steadfastly to the end. I remember a poem when I was in primary school which went something like this: Do all the good you can, to all the people you can, at all the times you can, for as long as ever you can! (I may have missed some words). This is an exhortation like the one in the Bible that says "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain"(1Cor15v58). We are being encouraged here to keep doing good even though it seems the reward is long in coming. Doing good means you disregard how the disappointment may have made you feel, you put a smile on your face and a song in your heart and continue. Not allowing frustration, resentment and all such feelings to take control when things don't turn out as we expect shows an attitude of a winner. When it seems all hope is lost the winner mentality forges on and wills him/her to look beyond the present. A winner's attitude is to look at the desired outcome and work to find ways to beat the odds so you can get to it. A winner approaches the task at hand with joy and he does not fear challenges as they are the building stones of success. I heard a quote recently that says "Adversity is the breakfast of champions", so in this beautiful year of 2012 I'm looking forward to be a winner, and I pray we can all have the mind to look at our circumstances and setbacks as a platform for reaching our goals.