--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only thing we can do is play on the…" description: "\"The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ni..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/070/charles-r-swindoll-878_attitude_the-only-thing-we-can-do-is-play-on-the_2496744.jpg" --- # The only thing we can do is play on the one string we… ![“The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent of how I react to it. And so it is with you. we are in charge of our attitudes.” quote by Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/070/charles-r-swindoll-878_attitude_the-only-thing-we-can-do-is-play-on-the_2496744.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/070/charles-r-swindoll-878_attitude_the-only-thing-we-can-do-is-play-on-the_2496744.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/070/charles-r-swindoll-878_attitude_the-only-thing-we-can-do-is-play-on-the_2496744.jpg) > “The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent of how I react to it. And so it is with you. we are in charge of our attitudes.” [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Attitude determines how we experience events; we control our response more than external circumstances. **In simple terms:** Our mindset shapes our life more than events. Key Takeaway Choose a positive attitude. Themes mindset responsibility resilience Mood determined optimistic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - personal challenges - work stress - relationship conflicts - health setbacks Key Concepts psychology agency cognitive appraisal Questions to Reflect On - How can you shift your reaction to a recent setback? - What habits support a resilient mindset? 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Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [The longer I live the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/the-longer-i-live-the-more-i-realize-the-impact-of-attitude-on-life-4/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [“We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/we-cannot-change-our-past-we-cannot-change-the-fact-that-people-will/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [“The remarkable thing we have is a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrie-eldridge/the-remarkable-thing-we-have-is-a-choice-every-day-regarding-the/) [Sherrie Eldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrie-eldridge/) > [Faith is a mental attitude that is so convinced of its own idea - which so completely accepts it - that any contradiction is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/faith-is-a-mental-attitude-that-is-so-convinced-of-its-own-idea-which/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [Attitudes are nothing more than habits of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/attitudes-are-nothing-more-than-habits-of-thought/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift...You get to choose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/you-can-either-feel-sorry-for-yourself-or-treat-what-has-happened-as/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [We cannot tell what may happen to us in the strange medley of life. But we can decide what happens in us - how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-fort-newton/we-cannot-tell-what-may-happen-to-us-in-the-strange-medley-of-life/) [Joseph Fort Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-fort-newton/) > [People will never forget how you made them feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/people-will-never-forget-how-you-made-them-feel/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Some people never change their mind through their whole lives, about anything, despite new information that comes in. And now that we know that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-van-dyke/some-people-never-change-their-mind-through-their-whole-lives-about/) [Dick Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-van-dyke/) > [I guess some people never change... Or, they quickly change and then quickly change back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/i-guess-some-people-never-change-or-they-quickly-change-and-then/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [If you don't change direction, you end up where you are headed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gibbons/if-you-don-t-change-direction-you-end-up-where-you-are-headed/) John Gibbons > [Attitude determines how well you do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/attitude-determines-how-well-you-do-it/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [The next time you feel slightly uncomfortable with the pressure in your life, remember no pressure, no diamonds. Pressure is a part of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/the-next-time-you-feel-slightly-uncomfortable-with-the-pressure-in/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [You are the conductor of your own success train.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-cranch-bond/you-are-the-conductor-of-your-own-success-train/) [William Cranch Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-cranch-bond/) ## More by Charles R. Swindoll > [This tendency to avoid problems and the emotional suffering inherent in them is the primary basis of all human mental illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/this-tendency-to-avoid-problems-and-the-emotional-suffering-inherent/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Grace is ours. Let's live it! Deny it or debate it and we kill it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/grace-is-ours-let-s-live-it-deny-it-or-debate-it-and-we-kill-it/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Cults use our vocabulary, but they don't use our dictionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/cults-use-our-vocabulary-but-they-don-t-use-our-dictionary/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [No pressure is greater than God's power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/no-pressure-is-greater-than-god-s-power/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Go God's way! His is the most reliable route to follow when life gets complicated. It will have its tough moments, but you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/go-god-s-way-his-is-the-most-reliable-route-to-follow-when-life-gets/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [For there to be true maturity, people must be given room to grow, which includes room to fail...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/for-there-to-be-true-maturity-people-must-be-given-room-to-grow-which/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Anyone who influences others is a leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/anyone-who-influences-others-is-a-leader/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Nothing is so common as unsuccessful men with talent. They lack only determination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/nothing-is-so-common-as-unsuccessful-men-with-talent-they-lack-only/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Faith is like lighting the torch that passes from one person to the next. You can't light the torch of another if yours isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/faith-is-like-lighting-the-torch-that-passes-from-one-person-to-the/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude... When my attitudes are right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/i-believe-the-single-most-significant-decision-i-can-make-on-a-day-to/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Two words will help you cope when you run low on hope: accept and trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/two-words-will-help-you-cope-when-you-run-low-on-hope-accept-and-trust/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Thanksgiving speaks in clear, crisp tones of forgotten terms, like integrity - bravery - respect - freedom - discipline - sacrifice - godliness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/thanksgiving-speaks-in-clear-crisp-tones-of-forgotten-terms-like/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [All he asks is that we trust Him, that we stand before Him in integrity and faith. God is just waiting for us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/all-he-asks-is-that-we-trust-him-that-we-stand-before-him-in/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [Adversity is a good test of our resiliency, our ability to cope, to stand back up, to recover from misfortune. Adversity is a painful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/adversity-is-a-good-test-of-our-resiliency-our-ability-to-cope-to/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [I am a preacher. I'm involved in many other things, but, mainly, I preach. And I love it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/i-am-a-preacher-i-m-involved-in-many-other-things-but-mainly-i-preach/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) [Explore all 343 Charles R. Swindoll quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent of how I react to it. 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