"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings us, but the attitude we bring to life"
About this Quote
The quote’s intent is to relocate power. It doesn’t deny bad breaks, injuries, slumps, or bad calls; it refuses to let them be the main author of your story. That’s a comforting claim, but also a demanding one, because it makes your inner life a responsibility, not a weather report. “Attitude” here isn’t forced positivity. It’s a discipline: show up, reset quickly, don’t romanticize setbacks, don’t inflate wins. The subtext is almost managerial: excuses are seductive, and they’re the easiest way to waste a season.
Culturally, this is the polished version of a sports-world ethos that prizes mental toughness and accountability. It resonates in an era that constantly tells us we’re at the mercy of algorithms, economies, and chaos. Boggs’s reframing offers a counter-narrative: you may not pick the conditions, but you can choose your posture inside them. That’s not just motivational; it’s a strategy for enduring long games.
Quote Details
| Topic | Motivational |
|---|---|
| Source | Later attribution: Words to Live By (James Frey, 2018) modern compilationISBN: 9781982203894 · ID: mAldDwAAQBAJ
Evidence:
... Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings us but the attitude we bring to life.-Wade Boggs — Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.- Charles R ... |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Boggs, Wade. (2026, March 15). Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings us, but the attitude we bring to life. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/our-lives-are-not-determined-by-what-happens-to-124200/
Chicago Style
Boggs, Wade. "Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings us, but the attitude we bring to life." FixQuotes. March 15, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/our-lives-are-not-determined-by-what-happens-to-124200/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings us, but the attitude we bring to life." FixQuotes, 15 Mar. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/our-lives-are-not-determined-by-what-happens-to-124200/. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.








