Friends every where

So often in life, the bad steals the spot light. News covers the problems and tragedies in the world. Hardship is a common lot for many people. How many times when someone greets you in the morning do you hear "This is going to be the best day of my life." And when we do hear it, we don't believe it. The greatest deception on earth is that someone or something else controls our happiness. Well don't you fall for it. That is absolutely false. YOU control your happiness, and I control mine. Taking responsibility for our own perspective is motivational and empowering. Let's use an example to illustrate:

We can read about an experience in the Bible where the children of Israel by the hundreds were bitten by venomous snakes which meant certain death unless they would look at a brass servant raised on a pole. Now you could say they had really bad luck, or it wasn't their fault that they were bitten, or it just isn't fair. But each one of them had the opportunity to remove that affliction by completing a very simple task. They were told that all they had to do was look at the brass serpent, and they would be healed. But instead of making the decision that really mattered and following that advice, they hopelessly wallowed in their self-pity and instead died because it was "obviously" too easy an antidote and too good to be true. Dozens, hundreds, perhaps thousands died unnecessarily because they did not believe that simply looking would be enough to heal them. This malady wasn't their fault. It was thrust on them just as challenges are pushed our way today. Yet when the solution was revealed, they failed to make the decision that really counted. We would never be so blind. Or would we? Now we can all agree that price of that mistake was much dearer than its simple antidote. Then why is it so difficult to believe that you are in charge of your own happiness?

I remember with admiration and emotion the email dad sent to the family following his diagnosis of terminal cancer. When I read it, I come away feeling uplifted if that's possible.Without brushing it off or refuting the doctor's prognosis, he looked for and found the best he could in a difficult situation, and then he emphasized the good. Finding the silver lining in difficult situations was Grandpa's calling card. You can read the full letter in its entirety in my journal. I am including only a small excerpt here:

I’m operating under the plan I have used all of my life that “the next two years are going to be the best two years of my life.”

Hard things happen...you deal with it. Life doesn't go the way you planned...it's ok. It may just turn out better. Having that kind of attitude and optimism is powerful and decisive, because it puts you in charge.

You're making the decision...the one that matters. So don't wait another minute before you free yourself!

You hold the spotlight. Shine it on that which is good.