Attitude

I just turned on the TV and started to view your program. First, I was born in the Netherlands and immigrated here in 1956. I have personally been on the poor and minority side of our society. In my youth, I was the victim of abuse from elementary children who viewed me as different. I didn't speak English...I looked very Dutch as compared to my classmates in New York...blonde hair, hazel eyes, etc. My past made me strong...taught me to succeed...and I chose not to follow the calf path of the mind. I am the first to graduate from college, been successful in the education sector, as well as private business, and been extremely fortunate in my life beyond measure. Why? BECAUSE, there is no view more beautiful than the top of that mountain that lets you view all the valleys you have traveled through. I am frustrated when I witness your program and others like yours. That you focus on negative behavior and mindset really upsets me. I taught my students that we are the result of our upbringing but how we, as adults, continue to view information, people, stereotypes, concepts, etc. is the direct result of our own cognitive insight and perception that we allow to evolve into attitude. Yes, we have stereotypes...the black lady in the audience got really upset when she presumed she was persecuted as a race MORE than the Muslim lady. We are all the end result of our past...do we continue to dwell on that? Or, do we move forward with positive insight and an attitude that dispels persecution and creates tolerance of differences. I have reached a point in my life where I too have become intolerant of those who have chips on their shoulder from ills created centuries ago, current situations in this world, and lack of education and pure stupidity. Where are we going...down a no where path filled with the repercussions of our ignorance and lack of concern? I realize that your show points our human weaknesses…but, I believe that focusing on the negative promotes negative behavior.
All your life you are taught, hear, and view the fact that a needle is a cork….you will call it a cork…if, on the other hand your taught, hear, and view the opposite…you WILL correctly call it a cork. At 57, I have been through a series of negative situations, a spouse of 38 years who had a serious spinal cord injury, lost my oldest son, and was diagnosed with TN last year. Do I just crawl into a hole and blame the world or mankind...I think not!!!! I was given something more precious than succumbing to a negative attitude or sustaining a chip on my shoulder (wow is me)...I have faith...Faith in God, mankind, life, my family, and myself... the kind called positive. I hope our world learns this before it is too late.