I believe that my attitude determines my altitude. As a third grader in elementary I thought I knew it all. I began to talk back and disrespect my peers. My family allowed this to take place until I reached 5th grade. At that point in my life I was headed in the wrong direction my grades were slipping and my social interaction was terrible. On the first day of 5th grade I was called down to the office. I was told that the principal, my grandmother, wanted to see me in her office. As I entered her office my heart dropped to my stomach but I didn’t understand why. She sat me down and handed me a piece of paper. On this paper was a recorded of my behavior for the past two years. At the top of the paper was a title “Your attitude determines your altitude” at the time I had no clue what that meant. I asked her “what does this mean”, she told me that the meaning can only be discovered when I believe in the quote. After that day I went to her office for the rest of the school year every day, but I came to no conclusion. I believe that my attitude plays a very significant role in the type of person I will become and also the type of people I plan on surrounding myself around. For a very long time I searched for the meaning of altitude and how it played a part in my life. I had not reached the full meaning of this belief until 7th grade at that point I knew that my attitude and my altitude would guide me through the rest of my life. When interacting with other people I always remember that how I talk to a person determines their perception of me. I always want to be remembered as a positive and strong person. By taking my belief everywhere with me I know that my altitude will grow without me even trying.

When I receive high awards or acknowledgements from different people it shows me that I am following my belief and it is working for me. My attitude will always determine my altitude this I believe!

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Mountain climbers learn how to rest-step – that is, to pause between each step to catch one’s breath at high altitudes. Climber Phil Powers believes this technique of pacing is valuable in everyday life. Click here to read his essay.

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