Victor Frankl, the author of Mans Search for Meaning, once wrote, "'Everything can be taken from a person but one thing: the last of human freedoms-to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances. " Frankl was right. Attitude is a choice. You could be faced with a thousand problems, many or most over which you have absolutely no control. However, there is always one thing you are in complete and absolute control of and that is your own attitude.

To be honest, it wasn't until I was in my late 20s that I finally understood its full impact. All through my teens and into my early adult life, I can't tell you the number of times that I heard, "Bob, if you'd just change your attitude, you would do a lot better" At that time, I didn't know what attitude was, let alone know how to change it!

Attitude and results are inseparable. They follow one another as night follows day. One is the cause, while the other, the result. There is a term we use to distinguish this “cause and effect” relationship, which is called The Law of Cause and Effect. Simply stated, if you think in negative terms, you will get negative results; if you think in positive terms, you will achieve positive results. Some people always see wrong things in the world. These individuals are quick to blame circumstances or other people for their problems, rather than accepting responsibility for their life and their attitude. Thus, it would appear as if they were born with bad luck and it has followed them around their whole life. However, there are others who are forever winning and living the good life. They are the real movers and shakers who make things happen. They seem to go from one major accomplishment to another. They're in control of their life. Their wins are a matter of choice.

You can experience that kind of life as well, you only need to decide. Dorothea Brand once said, "Act as if it were impossible to fail, " and I challenge you to do so. By simply becoming aware that you can choose your thoughts each and every day, you will change your entire outlook. You have the power to choose an abundant life no matter what your circumstances are. Don't wait to experience all the wonderful things the universe has in store for you. Start today by working on your attitude and welcome the abundant life that you are meant to lead.

Two years ago, Shirley, wife, mother and doctor, found herself worn out. She got up earlier, and went to bed later, just to meet everyday ____, but lacked ____ for the things that mattered most.

She and her husband, a lawyer, began searching for ways to ___ their lives. “We had to decide what was really ____,” says Shirley. They knew they wanted more time to ____ with their three-­year-­old son, to exercise and eat right, and to develop friendship.

So the couple chose to live more simply, shopping with care for necessities and enjoying inexpensive ____ such as reading, cooking and going to the park.

Then Shirley ____ her job and began working part time. She printed business cards that ____ “At your service, buy ____ a little time” and helped clients (客户) with personal tasks like shopping, paying bills and ____ parties. “I still work hard, but being able to control my hours makes a ____,” she says, “I can spare time to take my son to the ____ or play basketball with him. My stress and headaches are ____.”

Shirley and her husband are ____ alone in wanting to ____ and live a satisfying life. A survey found that 54 percent of parents say they have little time with their children, and 47 percent of married couples ____ that they lack time together. ____ does the time go?

For most people, ____ and commuting (通勤) take up most of the day. Simplifying means becoming ____ of the ways we use money, time and energy, and finding ways to make things easier. Then we have to gain ____ over life and have time for the pleasures.

Every summer he came to our village on his cycle. The cycle was full of coconuts and on the handle was his small red money purse and the machete that he used to cut the coconuts. He always wore a blue and black checkered lungi and was known for his toothless smile that tended to turn into a slight laugh.

He often announced the arrival of summer by standing under our village’s Gulmohar tree. During the first touch of summer, red flowers fell on the ground and welcomed him to our village; soon the red flowers turned into long sword-like fruits which hung above his head as he cut the coconuts.

He never ate anything except paan (a kind of leaf), which he always could be seen chewing, and he just sat under the tree until someone approached him. Then, he would choose the best coconut, and with expert skill, carve it so that the person could drink the satisfying liquid.

For me he was an artist who knew how to carve the green coconut into an oasis (绿洲) of relief. He was the coconut whisperer, who knew which one had more water. Nobody ever talked about him, for he was of no significance to the busy people of our village. His existence will forever be tied to the shadow of the Gulmohar tree.

Nowadays, he doesn’t do much business. Kids no longer care for coconut water; they want soft drinks. I know his weak body will fail him in the coming years. He will not visit our village, and with him, all my memories of summer will disappear. No one will miss him apart from the Gulmohar tree, his only friend.

My friends and I have stayed in the same village our whole life. Now, in our mid-thirties, we don’t have time to talk about our childhood and the lite beyond the chains of society.

I’ve made up my mind. Tomorrow I will talk with him. I will listen to him and preserve him in my memory. I will tell him how important he was for me, how he defined summer for me, and, during every summer, how he nurtured (滋养) me with the coconut water, which was filled with his love. I will take in his smile one last time—a remembrance of my childhood innocence. I will hug him until my tears mix with his.