There’s a quote that speaks to the very heart of how I live and navigate the ups and downs of life:

“How you look at a situation is very important, for how you think about a problem may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. When you get discouraged or depressed, try changing your attitude from negative to positive and see how life can change for you. Remember, your attitude toward a situation can help you to change it — you create the very atmosphere for defeat or victory.” – Franco Harris

This isn’t just a quote I admire—it’s my mantra. Long before I ever came across it, I was already living by its truth. When I read it for the first time, it felt like my own beliefs had been written out loud. It put into words exactly how I’ve always approached life’s complexities—with the understanding that while I can’t always control the circumstances, I can always control my mindset.

We all face tough seasons. Moments of confusion, discouragement, and frustration. But I’ve learned that the difference between staying stuck and finding a way forward often lies in how we choose to look at the situation. A defeated attitude can stop us before we ever begin, but a hopeful one opens up new paths—even in the hardest of times.

This mindset isn’t about pretending everything is okay. It’s about facing what’s in front of you with the belief that your attitude holds power. That you can shift the atmosphere. That you can choose victory—even if it’s just one small win at a time.

So if you’re reading this and going through something heavy, I invite you to pause and ask yourself:
What kind of atmosphere am I creating with my thoughts?

You might just find that when you change your perspective, everything begins to change with it.