"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become." - Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
My dad, who is facing some serious health issues, recently said something like, "I have had a good life. Things have always turned out good for me." When he said this, I thought, "Do good things really just happen to him or is it a matter of the way he thinks?" Is it possible that the same situation could happen to two different people and one would think things turned out good while the other felt his/her life was doomed?
My mom has a severe case of fibromyalgia. It would be so easy for her to feel that her life is doomed. However, at almost 70 years old, she gets her cane out and lives life. She recently returned from a 10 day trip to England. She ended up having to use a wheelchair more than she would like, but she didn't let that stop her from seeing the things she wanted to see and enjoying the company of the people she was with. In fact, she has several more trips planned this year in and out of the country.
I have been fortunate to not only have parents and siblings that view life in a positive way, but my journey in life has led me to numerous homeschooling friends, bloggers, spouse, children, educators, alternative care providers, etc that see the positive in every day living and even in the obstacles of life. I find myself wanting to soak of the energy of these positive thinkers.
Rheumatoid arthritis has been a struggle for me. There are days I am upset that it chose me (or I chose it). But most days, I realize that RA has helped me grow as a person. It has led me to wonderful people. I have learned so much about food and nutrition that also helps my family. It has exposed others to alternative lifestyles. It has been a positive in my life and when I seriously look at all the positive things that have come from rheumatoid arthritis, the list is long.
I think there is always one thing we can count on in life and that is that no matter what life hands us, we always have choices. We can choose to feel we are doomed and have no luck in this life or we can view the situation as something positive. Rheumatoid arthritis is part of my life. I can sit back and feel sorry for myself or like my dad I can view life as always turning out well and like my mother, get out and enjoy every minute of it! I choose to follow in the path of my parents. Thanks Mom and Dad for being who you are!
Sink or swim...the only two options. And there's always floating on your back for the really tough times x
ReplyDelete“Do good things really just happen to him [your dad] or is it a matter of the way he thinks?” Probably both. Your mom too. Our parents are content because they came from time periods where they were taught to be content with life regardless. So good for them.
ReplyDeletePositive thinkers and positive thinking – it makes life a whole lot easier, doesn’t it? I know what you mean about RA choosing us. With the negative always comes the positive. RA has changed us and often for the better. We have learned a lot of new things and met a lot of wonderful people in the journey. At some point, we realized it is just apart of who we are, and not necessarily what we aren’t, and sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves is depressing and more hurtful than anything any of us can imagine.
Keep up that postiive thinking Cathy.