Life Is The Way It Is

Life does not always happen the way we expect. Challenges arise, plans change, and circumstances can sometimes leave us feeling discouraged. While we may not be able to control everything that happens, we can choose the attitude we bring to each situation.

In this Positive Thought, Catherine Pulsifer reflects on how our attitude affects the way we cope with life's difficulties. A positive outlook does not make problems disappear, but it can help us see possibilities, learn from challenges, and move forward with greater confidence. For more encouragement about approaching life with hope, visit our Positive Thoughts.

Updated September 26, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.

Life Is The Way It Is

By Catherine Pulsifer, © 2010

How you cope with life is determined by your mental attitude. Your attitude can be positive or negative. If you have a positive attitude, you look for the good in life. But if your attitude is negative, your focus is often on everything that is wrong.

When we focus only on the problem, it can be difficult to see beyond the issue or challenge we are facing. We may overlook the good that still exists or the possibilities that could help us move forward.

Words Of Napoleon Hill

The words of Napoleon Hill explain this well:

“Your mental attitude is something you can control outright and you must use self-discipline until you create a Positive Mental Attitude. Your mental attitude attracts to you everything that makes you what you are.”
Napoleon Hill

I couldn't agree more with Mr. Hill's comment. The key is that we can control our attitude, and we all have a choice. When we focus on the negative, it becomes very difficult to recognize opportunities or see the good that may still be present.

Brian Tracy Also Makes The Point

Brian Tracy also reminds us that while circumstances may be beyond our control, our response to them is not:

“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.”
Brian Tracy

We all face challenges and issues in life, but that does not mean we have to accept defeat. We can look for another way around a problem or find a different way of doing something.

If we give up and cannot see beyond the difficulty, we allow our attitude to become one of self-pity. Instead, we can ask ourselves: What have I learned? What can I do differently? What step can I take next?

Less Stress

People with a positive attitude may find it easier to manage stress because they look for what can be done rather than focusing only on what has gone wrong. A positive attitude does not remove every difficulty, but it can change how we respond to it.

Marcus Aurelius expressed this idea in these words:

“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
Marcus Aurelius

There are many issues in life that we have absolutely no control over, but our attitude toward those circumstances is something we can work on.

How You Cope

How you cope with challenges can strengthen or weaken you. Clarence Blasier said:

“The obstacles you face are... mental barriers which can be broken by adopting a more positive approach.”
Clarence Blasier

Some people have faced numerous challenges in their lives yet maintained a positive outlook. Others experience additional stress because of the way they view their circumstances.

William Arthur Ward expressed the difference simply:

“Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records.”
William Arthur Ward

You can strengthen the way you cope with life's challenges by:

• Viewing change as an opportunity rather than a threat.
• Looking for something you can learn from a challenge.
• Discussing the situation with a trusted friend.
• Taking action rather than procrastinating.
• Taking time to laugh.
• Keeping things in perspective.

To Summarize

Virginia Satir's words summarize these thoughts well:

“Life is not the way it is supposed to be. It is the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.”
Virginia Satir

Life will not always follow the path we planned, but we still have a choice in how we respond. Our attitude, our actions, and the perspective we choose can make a difference in how we experience both the good days and the difficult ones.

A Short Poem About Life Is

This short poem offers another reminder that each day gives us an opportunity to shape the story of our lives.

You choose each and every day what you will write in the volume of your life. What will be written on today's page?

Conclusion

Life may not always turn out the way we hoped or planned, but we still have a say in how we meet each day. We can dwell on what has gone wrong, or we can look for what the experience can teach us and what we can do next.

A positive attitude does not mean pretending that problems do not exist. It means facing them while believing there may still be a way forward. When we keep life's challenges in perspective and focus on what we can control, we give ourselves a better chance to find hope, learn, and keep moving ahead.

More Positive Thoughts