Three Types of Attitude

Anything, we are taught, can be accomplished with the right attitude.  Attitudes, though, come in varying degrees, particularly when they are part of a relationship with another person.   

There are three categories of human attitude, writes Meera Seshadri.  The first category includes those who have a ''You're right, I'm wrong'' attitude.  The second category has an ''I'm right, you're wrong'' attitude.  The third group believes in ''You're right, so am I.''  
 

Those under "You're right, I'm wrong" category are generally subservient and agree easily with views of other people.  Those who belong to "I'm right, you're wrong" category are often vocal and vehement.  They often embark on 'sparring sessions' with everyone just to prove what they believe is universally true.    
 

Those who believe "You're right and so am I" are the most prudent, pragmatic and wise.  Though they are prepared to assimilate good points from other people (and even acknowledge another’s good qualities), they live life on self-dictated terms.  Being good listeners, they respect other viewpoints but finally do what they deem to be right.  They never take devious routes to attain success, nor do they pull someone down so they to climb the ladder.  They are so confident of themselves that they don't bother proving their skills and intelligence before others. 
 

From Threes, Chapter Five, “Threes in Psychology and Sociology”

Three for Independence

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense argued openly for American colonies’ independence from Great Britain, an aristocracy.  Common Sense “appeared in January 1776, after the Revolution had started.  It was passed around and often read aloud in taverns, contributing significantly to spreading the idea of republicanism, building enthusiasm for separation from Britain, and encouraging recruitment for the Continental Army.  Paine provided a new and convincing argument for independence by advocating a complete break with history.

Later in 1776, Paine wrote and published The Crisis, another pamphlet that was read widely, including to an audience of colonial soldiers at General George Washington’s request.  “These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman,” he wrote. 

Paine ignited popular opinion in support of the Revolution and a war against the Crown that lasted about eight years (1775-1783).  He was accompanied by others of equal voice, such as Sam Adams, who said, “Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can.”  Sam Adams became another popular propagandist.  His Right of Revolution, a third pamphlet, was published in 1769. 

From Threes, Chapter Seven, “Threes in Government and Politics” 

The Three Rules

The NFL Playoffs have started, and the Seattle Seahawks, after a brilliant season,  are a contender for the Super Bowl. In an interview given to ESPN The Magazine published at the start of this season, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll identified the three rules for the team. They are:

 

1. Protect the team
2. No whining, no complaining, no excuses
3. Be early

From ESPN The Magazine, Sept. 2, 2013, page 68