One of my father's sayings was, “Attitude is altitude…Let me see you rise.” He had many mantras like this. And, he would say them over and over. He would write poems and songs about them. He was always conspiring to inspire. I'm sure that's where I get it from.

As always, I've been thinking a lot about my father. He passed away about a year and a half ago…and my promise has always been to carry on his legacy. I choose to live in his honor, chase my dreams, live with tenacity and to always see the bright side of the road.

So in honor of my poppa–Let's talk a bit about attitude.

First things first, you all need to realize NO ONE is responsible for making you happy, sad, excited, depressed, anxious or any other feeling you can think of. The only person responsible for your attitude or how you react to a situation is YOU.

Now, what to do if you find yourself walking around with a not so chipper attitude?

Have a heart to heart with yourself. Yes, chat it out with the person you are having the issue with, yourself!

This is what I do if I'm feeling particularly crappy, overworked or overwhelmed. Often I do this by looking in the mirror (this is a variation of the mirror mirror exercise I talk about on page 66 of my book). I'll just look into my own eyes and say something like, “Aimee, what's up? What's got you all in a tizzy?” I talk to myself in an understanding and loving tone. Then I have to answer honestly and seriously attempt to hash it out. Soon enough, I discover that my worry is often over something that's completely out of my control or maybe, just maybe, I am not seeing the whole picture… you see, once you begin discussing the issue out loud, you will have an AHA moment and realize that you are fixated on something that is out of your control. You will realize that you are choosing to react a certain way. You are choosing to have the attitude you have. And, once you do, you'll realize how empowering it is to take responsibility for the place you're in. You can choose a different attitude. You can change the way you see your life.

Once you get there, repeat one of my favorite mantra's to yourself, “Chill the F**K Out! Life gives you what you can handle. Let go and know that you are where you're supposed to be.”

Some days those words are harder to accept. And, if that's the case, then just keep repeating them over and over to yourself…”you're where you're supposed to be… life gives you what you can handle”. Keep at it. Own it.

I'm not a very religious person, but I do have faith in a higher power. And, when I feel like I'm having a day where every step is uphill, I just remind myself to have faith. I remind myself that life has only the best in store for all of us. I just keep looking for the good in the situation. And, often that will shift my attitude entirely.

Hang in there, keep the faith and remember: Attitude is Altitude!