A sixth characteristic attitude must foster and develop is "goodness" (Gal.5: 22). It is a fruit because it helps us improve or make things a little better for our enjoyment and use. Due to its relationship to the word "good," it is complicated to define. Jesus held that only God was good (Mk.10: 18). The Bible also supports the idea of a Benevolent Creator that made everything good (Ge.1: 10,12). It was man that stepped out of goodness and into a world of evil. Actually, it is man that has, by his disobedience, structured a world without goodness. All men have become sinners and are no longer capable of being good (Ro.3: 23). Paul, the Apostle was led to believe that humans with reformed attitudes could make things better for everyone. He himself began to make things better for others after Christ came into his life. Jesus the Christ, however, assigned the responsibility to become better and be helpful in improve things, including the human heart to man (Mt.15: 18-19). It was up to man to be and do what is better. The only way a person can determine where he/she is on a scale from 1 to 10 is by what one does. Man does not read the heart but the actions. And it is not the overwhelming huge deed that yields the richest harvest but the countless little deeds that make the large one possible.

Kindness is a fruit of the human spirit or attitude (Gal.5: 22). It is a fruit that does not grow on its own, but it must be seeded or planted and then nurtured and cultured until it bears fruit. In my own life, my parents began to instill the idea of kindness into me when I behave inappropriately as a child. From then on it became a life-long task. I became even more conscientious as an adult, in particular when I was on the receiving end. I was not always aware or perceptive until I was in need of some form of kindness myself. And I did learn early that there were many kind people that were kind without being friends. I learned this before I encountered a religious or soul change. Without the seed of kindness planted within our heart, conversion or a sudden awareness of kindness for an adult could become nearly impossible. It has to be part of our upbringing and then a continuous practice throughout life. In fact, kindness is the root of all that is good in mankind.

A fourth desirable characteristic for a favorable Attitude is patience (Gal.5: 22). It is the ability and willingness to hang on or respond in difficult and different conditions and circumstances. Since we are all different, so is patience. Many of us are in a hurry and require breaks. Just as many or more are too slow and need to be pushed. In either case, we shall find that God moves with us at our speed. The Bible encourages us to wait on the Lord and He shall direct our path (Ps.37: 34). The people that were inspired to write about patience, learned from their own failures to be patient. They had fortified themselves with faith hope and love in God and only few were allowed to see their patience rewarded in this life (Heb. 11). Of course, we are not the Biblical Patriarchs or the Saints and we are on a much shorter leash of patience. Nevertheless, we are just as much in need of patience as they were and it is up to us to acquire it and make use of it. Those of us that do can cool our temper and become lesser fools. A physician had this advice, "Gentlemen, let us not hurry; we have no time to lose" (Wa. 2311).

The third need in attitude is being at peace with one self and others (Gal.5: 22). I would like to call it, "the ability to ease tensions." Jesus encouraged His disciples thus, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (Jn.14: 27). On Christmas 1924, Thomas Hardy penned these words: "Peace upon earth was said; we sing it and pay a million priests to bring it. After two thousand years of mass, we have got as far as poison gas" (Wa. 2376). Since then, scientists have added the "H Bomb" and some "Nukes." Neither scientific progress nor religion has brought us peace. Rather, they have turned us into nervous bundles of fear.

The second characteristic of a good attitude is joy (Gal.5: 22). When it becomes active, it spreads cheers. Jesus made this statement, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (Jn.16: 33). Joy can be a door that keeps out the obstacles the world throws at us. And when we dare to spread some cheer in spite of our trials and tribulations then even the world begins to bow at our attitude. It is difficult to look at a cheerful countenance without mellowing and reciprocating in some manner. Joy originates in the heart and then puts a smile on the face (Prov.15: 13). "A cheerful heart is good medicine" (Prov.17: 22). "It takes sixty-four muscles of the face to make a frown and only thirteen to make a smile" (Wa. 2190). Why not try smiling for fun?

Love, yes, it is a wonderful word. How good are we in using it? To begin with, it does not mean the same thing for all of us. In a way, we all have our own definition that defines our character and determines our attitude. Yet, without the ingredient of love, we will not acquire an attitude that makes us a better person.

The Apostle Paul called it, "the fruit of the Spirit"(Gal.5: 22). I would like to think of it as being "my attitude." It is particularly my attitude toward behavior. In fact, my behavior is the fruit of my attitude. It makes public what is within me and within everyone of us. I am not looking for the obvious or the glaring but a little "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." These things are not magical or mystical that God only can bestow. Rather, these things we all can adapt and practice on our journey through life. We do need to practice these things to be better persons. I shall deal with each one of these necessary characteristics of behavior in my series. To begin with, however, I would like to share my latest experience on the influence of attitude on behavior. It is with the intent to test my attitude and invite you to do likewise.

The Apostle Paul called it, "the fruit of the Spirit"(Gal.5: 22). I would like to think of it as being "my attitude." It is particularly my attitude toward behavior. In fact, my behavior is the fruit of my attitude. It makes public what is within me and within everyone of us. I am not looking for the obvious or the glaring but a little "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." These things are not magical or mystical that God only can bestow. Rather, these things we all can adapt and practice on our journey through life. We do need to practice these things to be better persons. I shall deal with each one of these necessary characteristics of behavior in my series. To begin with, however, I would like to share my latest experience on the influence of attitude on behavior. It is with the intent to test my attitude and invite you to do likewise.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," Jesus told me. Again, I am John, the disciple Jesus loved and I was privileged to see who Jesus really was and what He had done for humanity. What He had begun on earth continues in far greater glory in heaven. The more He would be opposed on earth, the more He would conquer the hearts of men and women, young and old. Whenever a people will close one door, He will open another among another people. Hell will not prevail against His Church or Kingdom because they are as eternal as He is. His followers shall celebrate Mass on earth and in heaven. Even God, the Father, has bestowed the highest honor on the Son.

I am Saul of Tarsus. Yes, I am the one that guarded the clothes of those that stoned Stephen, that persecuted the followers of Jesus and that met the Lord on the road to Damascus. My Lord Jesus had to make a special appearance to halt me from my zeal to persecute His followers. I was zealous for the traditions of our fathers and used the law to enforce them. I disobeyed the counsel of my teacher Gamaliel who cautioned us to wait and see whether Jesus was of God. I took it for granted that God was on our side. There were more than five hundred witnesses that would have disagreed with me, but I believed our false leaders and misrepresentatives of our sacred writings. I had to be blinded with a beam of light from heaven to bring me to my senses. That is why I was the last and the least of the apostles to receive mercy from my Lord Jesus, the Christ.