The weather has a substantial impact on how you feel.  On a mild sunny day with beautiful cloud shapes floating overhead in a deep blue sky, you're bound to feel upbeat.  Contrast this to your emotional state during a cold, rainy, and windy day.  Chances are your spirits will be somewhat downcast compared to the sunshine filled day.

This effect becomes exaggerated when the inclement weather lasts for an extended period of time.  Overcast skies have a cumulative impact on your emotions when persisting for days on end. 

Regardless of what the weather is doing, the sun is always shining above it all.  Even at night, the sun is still shining somewhere.  In our lives, we lose track of the suns omnipresence.  The weather changes, seasons come and go, but the sun is consistent.

Optimists understand the sun is always shining.  Pessimists only see the clouds, the inclement weather, or the darkness.  Pessimists tend to maintain their negative outlook all the time.  However, even the most fervent optimists will have bouts of pessimism.  What sets optimists apart is that they quickly refocus on the shining sun.

How is your outlook?  Your outlook determines your attitude.  Just as the sun is the source of energy for the earth, your attitude is your source of energy.  Don’t discount the role attitude plays in the direction and quality of your life.

You can’t change the weather but you can change your outlook.  Remembering that the sun is always shining helps get you through tough times.  You will see opportunities missed by others.  Additionally, solutions, insights, and inspiration appear more readily. 

The daily weather report always includes the 5 day forecast.  Do you have a forecast for your attitude?  What is it?  Most people don’t consciously direct the way they feel.  They plan for what they have to do but not for their mindset.

A common misconception is that attitude is a reaction to circumstances.  When things are good you feel happy and positive.  When faced with problems you are negative and unhappy.  In reality, just the opposite is true.  Your attitude is a magnet that actually attracts what you think about.  Your circumstances are a result of your thoughts rather than vice versa.

This is why it’s so very important to make sure you acknowledge the sun is always shining while thinking about all the good situations you want in your life.  Whenever you think something you want isn’t possible, you block the sun with mental clouds.

Even the most optimistic people have negative thoughts.  But they catch themselves quickly and get their outlook back on a positive track.  This is possible because they constantly monitor their thoughts.

They know what their daily mental weather is.  If some attitudinal fogging should slip in, they clear it.  This is an effective process that produces results far in excess of the effort it takes.  Since you may not be used to doing this, it will take some practice to turn it into a habit.

Each day is a great day.  If you have any doubts, try skipping one.  Start each day with a sunny forecast with everything you want and need coming your way.  You have the power to make each day whatever you want it to be.

Fill your mind with enthusiastic thoughts.  Get rid of negative, sun blocking vocabulary such as; I can’t, it won’t work, what if I fail, I don’t know how, I’ve tried before, and it’s no use.  Replace it with positive, sunny self-talk such as; I can, I will, It will work, I’ll find a way, there is a solution, and things will work out.  Make every day a sunny day.

NOW AVAILABLE:  "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book.  Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or write him c/o this paper.  2009 Bryan Golden

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