Positive thinking

This quote is a post in and of itself! My friend and I were talking about this very thing yesterday!
Good night dear friends!

Better days ahead I hope!

This has been a long test of my ability to stay positive. I usually don't have a problem with that, but this has been a real struggle. I started the steroids over the weekend and I started feeling a bit better. But when I called the doctor and told them today that it has been a few nights since I have really slept, I found out that sometimes, that is a side effect of the drug. Here it is 1:22 am and I am still wired, heart racing a bit and yet I am tired. This is why I have troubles with meds. I know I probably need them, but at what cost?
When I saw this quote... I thought I really try to do all of those things except the 3rd and the last one I am struggling with. For whatever reason I am still struggling to get a good deep breath and because of that, I really am having a hard time being interested in doing anything, just don't have the energy for it.
I did get Valentine's out to my family today, I love the holidays and love to make and send packages to my family and friends, yet...it was a lot of work just getting the Valentine's out. Luckily Jeff already got me the stamps, all I had to do was make the long walk to the mailbox ( right across the street ).
It snowed yesterday and I was glad, because I still have all my Winter Décor up. That is a sure sign that I am sick...because I always decorated my house for the seasons. But this year, I am not so sure that we will get the Valentine's Decorations up in time. I guess that is ok, and happens some times..right?
Well dear friends, thanks for always being there. I think about you often. Good night!

Be the good

I once heard someone say to another person " why are you always so happy? " There are terrible things going on in the world and many things to scare you to death out there and you are still happy I just don't get it?" I remember her response so well... " I think it is a lot easier to be happy than sad or mad all the time. It makes me feel better to be positive than negative, that takes a lot of energy. Guess I just like looking for the good!"
I remember that for many years, it made me realize that I too think that is true. I would much rather be around half full people who are upbeat and positive, than those who never see the good in anything and are always negative about everything! Those people are very draining to say the least.
So when I read this quote...it made me remember that girl's comment.
Some days I don't do as well as others, but most of the time, I do feel a lot of gratitude for the feeling of contentment. Thanks to many of you who bring such good energy and happiness in my life!
Good night dear friends!

Counting your thoughts!

I shared with some of you the Clicker that I received when I was in California at the Women's Conference I spoke at this weekend. So I thought I would share the lady who introduced this cute idea.  You can watch her (Hilary Weeks )  you tube video
Here:


I think the idea of counting your positive thoughts is wonderful. Watch the video and the song she wrote about this same message called I DANCED IN THE RAIN, it's found Here:
Good night dear friends!

Look for the Positive!

I need to remember this more often!

Jason Wright shares a personal experience, and once again helps us to see things through a less judgmental and positive glasses!

 Enjoy! I need to go and get packing, heading to Texas tomorrow to see my grandson and to help the kids move in to their new home. So excited! Night dear friends!

 

   Quit complaining- sometimes things turn out just fine! By Jason F. Wright         

.      . 

It’s hardly breaking news. We live in a world that excels in identifying flaws. We're experts at finding the mote in our neighbor’s eyes, checking it for termites and offering advice for emergency removal.

It’s hardly breaking news. We live in a world that excels in identifying flaws. We're experts at finding the mote in our neighbor’s eye — checking it for termites and offering advice for emergency removal.
I’m as guilty as anyone.
Have a bad meal at a restaurant? Tell the manager, the server and your friends.
Frustrated by bad service from your local mechanic? Tweet it and post your gripe on Facebook.
Was the hotel bed too lumpy on your latest business trip? Tell the front desk clerk and send an email when you get home. Your back might not feel any better, but your ego might, right?
That’s life. Everything that can go wrong will. Or will it?
What about when things go right? I wonder how often I notice when there's really nothing to complain about at all. In fact, maybe something went so well it deserves public praise?
A few nights ago, my 9-year-old son tumbled out of bed and whacked his head on the wooden edge of his little brother’s trundle bed. The shiner was so big the International Star Registry could have named it.
Because of the size and location of the bump — directly above his eye — we decided he needed a midnight visit to Valley Health's Shenandoah Memorial Hospital emergency room in Woodstock, Va. Naturally we were concerned about a concussion and possible damage to the eye.
Frankly, we were also concerned about the reputation of the emergency room. We’d heard complaints about extraordinarily long waits, understaffing and bungled paperwork. Though I’d never experienced any of those inconveniences first hand.
With his forehead swelling and turning shades of purple I’ve never seen on the color wheel, my patient and I said a prayer and made the short drive to the only option in town for emergency care.
To my surprise, we walked in and were immediately greeted, registered and triaged. In four minutes, we were already in an examination room back in the belly of the ER. He was put in a gown — in his words, a “dress” — and a nurse began asking all the important questions.
Hardly five minutes passed before the doctor entered and began his examination. I noted that I hadn’t even had time to finish blowing up my latex glove turkey.
After a thorough exam and additional questions about the nature of the fall and his medical history, the doctor explained why he was forgoing a CT scan in favor of traditional X-rays. Perhaps another five short minutes passed before a technician was wheeling my wounded warrior to radiology. They took a few quick shots of his noggin and he was traveling back to his room before anyone had time to tease him about his Mario pajamas.
Another 15 minutes passed, just long enough for my son to reprimand me for playing with things and for me to step outside and send a text to his mother. Soon, the doctor invited us around a large nurses’ station to look at the X-rays on a large computer monitor. He walked us through what he thought he saw, and what he didn't. “No concerns,” the doctor said.
We returned to get our patient dressed and ready for home. The nurse was right behind us, giving us final instructions, things to watch for and several handouts reflecting what they’d done. We said goodbye, stopped briefly by billing and walked to the car.
It was impossible to ignore that at every second they’d treated him like the most important patient in the hospital — though we certainly saw others — and those others might say the same.
At every second they’d worked as true professionals, but with an appropriate brand of fun, kid-friendly banter that you only see in commercials.               

They made a potentially terrifying experience for a child with a big bump on his head to nothing more than a bitty bump on the road.
But what about all those complaints? What about the waits? The paperwork nightmares? Wouldn’t a comedy of errors have made for a better column?
In today’s chaotic world, with its 20/20 vision for failure and weakness, I suspect many of us are trained to look for reasons to be disappointed. And when we are, we’re wired to let the world know whom to avoid, whom to distrust and whom doesn’t deserve our hard-earned money in their cash registers.
Today I recognize and applaud the entire team at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital for taking care of one of the four most important treasures in my life. I’ve got no complaints, no angry letters to write and no reason to launch nasty Main Street gossip.
All I have is a feeling that I should do less complaining, because sometimes things turn out just fine. And when they do, I need to recognize those moments, too.
How about you?
As always you can read more of Jason's words HERE:

Everyone comes wih Baggage!

It is very late, I have been sewing all day and here I am past midnight and almost too tired to share much tonight. I found this quote the other day and love it! So true, everyone does come with baggage, it is called life and experiences. The trick is to find the right people who will love you enough to not only help you unpack, but share the load while you do! Thanks for doing that for me. Good night dear friends!



I found this article about Emotional Baggage, interesting!
At some point in your life, you have had to deal with emotional hurt or tragedy. It doesn't matter who you are, how rich you are, the color of your skin, or the geographical area that you live in. At some point, we all get hurt, in the emotional sense. When this happens, an imaginary suitcase opens in our minds - or possibly in our hearts - and we start mentally packing that hurt into that suitcase.

As we age, each time we are hurt, we add more to that suitcase, and may even need additional luggage as time moves along. Overtime, that baggage can get very heavy, and it can actually prevent us from really getting the most out of our future relationships, as well as life in general. So, at some point, you should really ask yourself if your past is actually determining your future.

How does the past determine the future? It can actually happen in a wide variety of ways. For example, if we have been lied to or cheated on by someone that we loved and trusted, we most often develop trust issues. We tend to pack that hurt up, and carry it right along with us into the next relationship. When we do this, it harms that next relationship right from the beginning, and the relationship won't even be given the chance to reach its highest potential.
To get the most out of your life, and your relationships, start by mentally opening that suitcase and unpacking it. Examine each hurt, and instead of looking at all of the negatives associated with it, instead try to see how something positive came out of it. For example, if you were hurt in your last relationship, but you are now with a wonderful new person, you should realize that if the previous relationship had not ended, you wouldn't be with the person you are now with. If you were fired from a job, but now have a better job, you may not be working in that new position if you had not been fired. For every negative, there is almost always a positive, if you look for it.
Now, take a look at the present. Is there anything that you are not going after with full force? Maybe it is a job, a relationship, or a business deal. What is stopping you? Is it something from your past? If so, what is it from your past that is stopping you from moving forward? Once you realize what past event is stopping you from moving ahead now, you can deal with that past issue in your mind, do away with it, and get the ball rolling.
Again, we all get hurt at some point in our lives. The question is, are you going to allow that hurt to keep reverberating throughout your life? Let it go, and you will be amazed at how much happier you are, how much better you feel, in the physical sense, and how much more opportunity comes your way in the present, and in the future. Are you ready to unpack your emotional baggage?
To read all of the article you can go Here:

Bigger than me day!

I haven't had a Bigger Than Me Day for awhile, I guess I was due for one. For the last couple of days I have had some sensitivity in my teeth. I just had my 6 month check up and was told everything looked great, so I was sure that the pain was just in my mind :) But I should have known better, teeth are very unsure things... there is really no rhyme or reason. Some people eat all kinds of junk and sugars and they never had any cavities. I try so hard to eat healthy and have been for over 20 some years, and my teeth have tons of problems. What, did I hear you say ...life isn't fair? You are sooooooooooo right!
Last night I woke up with some throbbing pain in my lower left side and I began to worry. I even prayed about it... tried to convince God that I had too many things going on right now to have trouble with my teeth. And they are all good things too... for some reason I thought that might give me some leverage? Who am I kidding?
So first thing this morning I thought I had better call my dentist, the last time I had throbbing pain in a tooth, I was in another state and it went into a terrible abcess...so I didn't want to wait too long. They were great and got me right in, I didn't have time to eat but thought I could do that right after. Once the Dentist looked at it, he said he thought I should get right over to a specialist...it didn't look good. We called them right there from the office and they say they didn't have any other time this week or next except for today in 20 minutes...so I went. After lots of X-rays and testing, the verdict was I needed a root canal done right then. :(
Oh well, as my Grandmother used to say " If it wasn't for bad luck Lynn, you wouldn't have any at all". No truer words have ever been spoken...or so it seemed today. After 2 or more hours we were all done and I was told to go home, stay on the pain medicine and lay low.
Now I have to admit, that wasn't at all what I had to do on my calendar today...shocking. I did come home and lay down, but had big plans to catch up on a few things tonight... that didn't happen either. So I just checked this off as a Bigger Than Me Day, and I am going to go back to bed and try again tomorrow. I tried to think of something positive about today... so here is my little, but positive list!

1. At least I wasn't out of town when I had my tooth ache this time
2. It was raining outside, so a good day to do something inside ( like a root canal )
3. I wasn't able to eat much, so did well on my Weight Watcher's points :)
4. ........?????

Ok, so I only had 3, but that was more than 0. Good night dear friends!


"There is no education like adversity."
~Benjamin Disraeli
"Fractures well cured make us more strong." ( sure hope that is true for teeth too? I had some fractures on that same tooth :)
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Just stay POSITIVE!!!

Today we are still in Utah and will be flying out tonight. It is always hard to leave family. It will be nice though to get home and get to see Amy, John and kids, plus our neighbors and friends! But no matter what, I am still a bit concerned about coming home to an empty house ( even worse a dirty empty house). I had great intentions on getting it cleaned before I left, but I was more worried about getting all our Christmas presents made for our family and friends here. So at least I will have something I need to do, as soon as I get there, that should help…I hope!

My niece and nephew asked me to speak today to their Sunday School Class ( of 15  year olds  ) about adversity and trying to have a positive attitude. I only had 10 minutes so I had to think of a way to make it to their level, and yet interesting. So these are the 7 things that I try to do, when I see that I am getting too discouraged or sad…

1. I first try to remember what type of people I like to be around. Obviously it is the Half full, happy, positive and kind people, verses Half Empty, sad, negative and discouraged people. So I try to see which type of  person I am being at the time.

2. Then I try to distinguish my thoughts and where they come from. It really is true that Satan is alive and well, and will definitely place bad and sad thoughts in  your mind. It is very important to control thoughts and remember that our thoughts control our actions.

3. Next I try to remember to do the Basics, I know it is the old Sunday School answers… but it is true for me. If I remember to say my prayers, read my scriptures and stay closer to my Heavenly Father, life really is better.

4.I try hard to listen to that still small voice inside. We all have it, but some times it is easy to ignore. That still small voice it is right every time. And the more I listen to it, the more I hear it. I believe that is truly how my Heavenly Father helps me and guides me.

5. Gratitude is next. When I stop… and count my blessings, I realize that I should be happy for all that I have been given. Gratitude really helps you feel more positive.

6. Service of course helps anyone, no matter how down they are. As you stop to look around at others, you realize that there are lots of people whose life is much worse or harder than yours. Service changes your heart for the better. Plus, as your help someone else…you are really helping yourself feel better.

7. Hold on to my faith! I love the quote that “ Faith has a short shelf life” you really have to work on it daily to strengthen your faith in God, and in His purpose for you .

So that is what I try to do to change my cup from Half Empty to Half Full.

Of course, I will have more bad days, and will have to go back and remind myself by reading this post again!

Well, need to head to the airport. Take care dear friends!

“The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness.  You have to catch it yourself.”     ~Author unknown, commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”  ~Winston Churchill

“If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. “   ~Mary Engelbreit

Half Empty vs Half Full

When my daughter sent me these photos I had to laugh, isn’t that just how we feel some days? Half Empty like the ‘Go On Without Me ‘ picture. Not only do we feel half empty, but we make sure that others around us know it. I am glad this one doesn’t happen very often, but some time I feel just like that…’don’t worry about me, go on and have fun without me, I will just stay here all by myself’. I try to notice when I am feeling or acting like that and immediately try to change…but it happens to the best of us I believe!

Then there are those Half Full days, where everything makes you happy. You are grateful for the smallest things…even a stick!

I do think that it is an easier way to live, being happy and noticing all the little blessing in our lives. I love when I have my head on straight and my heart in the right place, j because I truly do get excited about even the smallest things (ok, it’s usually not a stick ),just noticing the little things and the joy that they add in your life is important… and definitely falls under the Half Full category! 

So I hope we will try to look for the brighter side of life, keep our glass half full and just be… Oh My Gosh HAPPY!

 

“Sometimes, the things we can’t change, end up changing us”

  “Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours”  ~ Swedish Proverb

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”   ~ Winston Churchill

Prep for test!

   Well, I must be getting old, because it is time for me to have a colonoscopy. I really don’t think that I am that old but then again, I am a grandmother so….I guess I am not young as I used to be . I remember when my grandmothers were alive, back then they really didn’t go to the Doctor that often. One of my grandmothers never went, but always took Tylenol ( or something like that )every night, she said it was  just in case she did have a pain or something wrong with her. It always made me laugh when she said that.
   Both of my grandmothers lived to be in their mid nineties. They both said that they didn’t start getting sick or feeling sick until the Doctors got ahold of them, I guess they did do pretty  good on their own.

   So I decided I should write my post now while I could.  Someone asked me if I am nervous about the test? I actually am a bit, now that I met with the DR. before that I wasn’t it. She told me that two things that concerned her was that my Dad had colon cancer and that I have had Breast cancer twice. She said there can be a big connection between Breast Cancer and Colon Cancer…I did not know that.  Still I have 4 things in my favor she said and those were…I have never smoked or drank. I don’t eat fatty foods and I rarely eat red meat. Those were positive things , but the other two were not in my favor. So I really thought when I went in to meet her that this would be routine, and it still will be… but she will be looking at me a bit closer ( as she should ). I really liked her and the only thing I would have changed is how many times she mentioned the word Cancer. If you are a survivor, you realize that you don’t like when people use that word a lot or so casually. I know many of you have already had a colonoscopy and it is no big deal at all. I can’t wait till after it is tomorrow when I can report the same to you.

Still I am a bit anxious, but don’t have any gut feelings that anything is going to be wrong. Like I have said before, that anxiousness is just a side effect of cancer. No test is just routine any more, once you have cancer…it just isn’t !   I am trying to stay positive and pray that everything will happen as it should.

I will write again tomorrow when all this is behind me ( quite literally ) 

 

“A healthy attitude is contagious but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier.”  ~ Tom Stoppard

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”  ~World Health Organization, 1948

The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And charge you not a shilling.
~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields

Joy in the Journey!

About 15 years ago, I started giving a motivational speech that was called “ Joy in the Journey”. It was all about… how important it is to enjoy the journey and truly appreciate the ride life gives us. I spoke to many different Women’s groups but the reaction was always the same. The women were tired, disappointed sometimes in themselves or how their lives turned out. They had been working so hard to get to ‘Happily Ever After’, that they missed a lot of the journey and the happiness that came along the way. They were still traveling, sometimes against their wills, or so exhausted that they didn’t know which end was up… still they thought it was vital to keep moving and make sure they got to the end.

Now in recent years, I have talked more about adversity and how we keep our attitudes in check and how we keep the faith, but still somewhere in my speeches comes the same underlining message…Enjoy the Journey!

I think the best part of doing motivational speaking is …you are constantly reminding  yourself of all the things you need to be doing or keep doing. Yes, the last little bit…I think I have fallen short of ENJOYING TH E JOURNEY, I was just trying to hang in there!  So take it from me, life is much more enjoyable when we are aware, grateful and enjoying the journey. Thanks for all the love and support all of you have given me throughout the years of my incredible journey. Good night dear friends!

 

 

“Foolish people with all their other thoughts, have this one too: They are always getting ready to live, but never living.

Your success will start when you begin to pursue it. To reach your goal or to attain success, you don’t need to know all of the answers in advance. You just need to have a clear idea of what your goal is.

Don’t procrastinate when faced with difficult problems. Break your problems into parts, and handle one part at a time.

Develop tendencies toward taking action. You can make something happen right now. Divide your big plan into small steps and take that first step right away.

Everyone who ever got where they are had to begin where they were. Your big opportunity is where you are right now.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Take it.”

http://academictips.org/blogs/one-step/

 

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” ~ Don Williams Jr.

  “Success is not a place at which one arrives but rather the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey.”  ~ Alex Noble

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end”  ~ Ursula K. LeGuin

 

~

Just missed my goal!

Can you believe it, I just missed my goal of being healthy for one year straight...by only 13 days!!! I can't say that I am surprised, since I have been so stressed out this week, worrying about Lee. I knew I should go to bed early, but couldn't get my head to stop thinking and wondering. I knew that I should have honored THE WALL, but I just felt if I kept going, I could get a few things I was behind on. I guess no one ever plans for all the doctor appointments and all the things that come up, when someone is sick or hurting. So it is my own fault that I didn't take better care of my body better. I have been trying sooooooooooooo hard to make that goal. :(

I guess the I need to look at it, more on the positive side. I have been well ...COMPLETELY WELL for 352 days! That is great news! Especially considering that I had pneumonia four times, year before last!

I knew very early this morning that I was coming down with something, so the first thing I did when I got up...was put on a big pot of homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. For those of us that don't have Mothers here anymore with us...that is what we have to do, make it ourselves!

So even though I am freezing, aching all over, and I am cooking a fever, plus I have a sore throat and an already DEEP cough...life is good and I am thankful for all my blessings!

Good night dear friends!

"If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere."  ~ Frank A. Clark

" I can't change the directions of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."  ~ Jimmy Dean

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."  ~ C.S. Lewis

 

EMPOWERMENT

I loved this article. I have talks with myself all the time ( we don't need to let that get around), and some time it's positive, and some times it's not! So this was a great reminder for me. Why does it seem easier to say negative things to ourselves rather than positive? I know that answer, I just need to remember it now!
Good night dear friends!

Personal Empowerment
  by: Marlene Blaszczyk

    Use Empowering Words When You Talk to Yourself
(whether you are speaking out loud or silently) How do you talk to yourself? Do you use the words "can't", "won't", "don't need to", "why try"?  Many people do.
   Do you find that what you say to yourself turns out to be true?  Why is this? You see your brain is like a computer that you feed each day. It doesn't know always know what's real or not unless you tell it.
   Example: If someone you love has hurt you, you may tell yourself that all people who love you will probably hurt you too.
   Your brain just files this information for reference, it's data, little zeroes and ones and no column that asks "true or not true?" Now your brain thinks, based on what you told it, that everyone you'll ever love will hurt you. How do you think you will respond the next time you get hurt?  Right!!
Now, what if we instead told our brain:
   "Okay this person ripped my heart out - but that's only one person. I'm lovable and have many loving people in my life who are not out to hurt me. I know that the right people are coming into my life all the time. If someone hurts me, I will forgive them and bless them on their way."

Words can be empowering.

I can
I love to
I want to
I will
I must
I am

   We can reach a new level of living, if we feed ourselves empowering words and practice saying them until they become a habit. I know first hand that it takes time.  And I also know that it's worth it. Try it for a week. Catch yourself saying, "I can't", when you don't really mean it and instead try, "I can", and see how you think and feel about yourself.
   Remember, the words you use to empower yourself will have a lasting effect, only if you practice them and they become a habit (an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary).
   They say it takes at least 28 days to develop a habit. After a week, you will see that it becomes easier. It's a mind-set and you can control your thoughts. Be proactive and not reactive - give yourself some good words.

   Dream big and empower yourself! Believe you can and you will.

"Don't let the negativity given to you by the world disempower you. Instead give to yourself that which empowers you."
- Les Brown

"You can change your beliefs so they empower your dreams and desires. Create a strong belief in yourself and what you want."
- Marcia Wieder

Looking for the good.

Today I was reminded of this lesson...always looking for the good. In this article that I read, it talked about why looking for the good is so important. He says it better than I do, so I will share part of the article with you. It starts out with a couple looking for a new home, as they went around the neighborhood to talk to people about it, this is what they found.
"One woman they spoke to said of the school her children were attending: " This is the most incredible place! The principal is a wonderful and good man; the teachers are well qualified, kind, and friendly. I am so pleased that our children can attend this wonderful school. You'll love it here!
A different woman said of her children's school: "It's a terrible place. The principal is self-absorbed; the teachers are unqualified, rude, and unfriendly. If I could afford to move out of this area, I'd do it in a heartbeat!"
The interesting thing was that both women were speaking about the same principle, the same teachers, and the same school.
Have you ever noticed that people can usually find whatever they are looking for? Look hard enough, and you can discover both good and bad in almost anyone and anything.
We have a choice. We can seek for the bad in others. Or we can make peace and work to extend to others the understanding, fairness, and forgiveness we so desperately desire for ourselves. It is our choice; for whatever we seek, that we will certainly find."   ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf   http://lds.org/ensign/2011/03/looking-for-the-good?lang=eng&query=March+2011+Ensign+Dieter+F.+Uchtdorf+talk+Looking+Good

I loved this, so true! Wouldn't we all be a lot happier in life, if we looked for the good instead of the bad? I have done both, and I have to admit ...looking for the bad is not a happy place to be. I do believe it is our choice and after reading this again today, I am recommitting myself to strive harder each day to look for the good! Yes, that is a much brighter way of life. If you haven't done it...try it!

"Optimism is the foundation of courage "  ~Nicholas Murray Butler

"The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious of the rose" ~Kahlil Gibran

"Optimism is the foundation of courage"   ~ Nicholas Murray Butler

Looking for the good

I heard on a radio talk show the other day, a lady who was a scientist and also a cancer survivor. I only heard the last part of the show, but the jest of it was that she opposed all the pink ribbon and all the false hope that goes along with it for cancer survivors. She said as a scientist, they have never proven the theory that being positive really makes a difference. She found something wrong with all the tests that tried to prove otherwise. It made me upset as I listened to her. I agreed on one thing that she said though " We pretend to know a lot about cancer, but we just don't know enough yet". I know that is true but there are 1000's of scientists, doctors and others out there, trying to find out more. I think we need to appreciate that. As for the positive outlook and hope that the pink ribbons, or anything else bring, I strongly disagree with her. I don't have to believe what she or anyone else says about HAPPY THOUGHTS, because I personally have felt the difference in my own life. I am better, stronger, happier, healthier (and a lot more fun to be around) when I chose to look for the good in each day.

How grateful that I don't have to just take her word for it. I don't care what her latest studies have shown. As always the only place to get ABSOLUTE TRUTH is from God. There are 1000's of scriptures on Hope, Faith and Charity, all of which can make a huge difference on how we view our life...as bad or good!

This Is Good

An old story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!"

One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!" To which the king replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and proceeded to send his friend to jail.

About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to the stake. As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So untying the king, they sent him on his way.

As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. "You were right," he said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. "And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this."

"No," his friend replied, "This is good!" "What do you mean,'This is good'? How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?" "If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you." ~ Unknown

 

"There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless."  ~ James E. Faust  May 1979

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"Our task is to become our best selves. One of God's greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final."  ~Thomas S. Monson, May 1987