R.A.D.I.C.A.L. Thoughts
“Take charge of your attitude. Don’t let someone else choose it for you.” ~ Life’s Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
I’m sorry I didn’t get to write my blog yesterday. I had a meeting in the morning, and discovered at lunch that my Mom’s dental bridge was causing her pain and discomfort. She kept taking it out looking at it and trying to figure out what on it was hurting her mouth. So instead of having the afternoon free, we made a trip to the dentist who graciously got us in at 2:30. They discovered that her mouth had changed and she had lost another tooth, so the bridge really had nothing to hold to and it was rubbing her gum. I hate to think that she had probably been uncomfortable for some time. But my mom has never been a complainer. During her last stay in the hospital she apologized profusely if she had an accident in bed. She was afraid she was causing the nurses extra work. (She was an Army nurse in WWII and in public nursing for a while after that.) Her attitude even now is almost always upbeat. She worried the whole time I was there this trip that she should be helping me instead of me helping her. I told her that considering all the years she took care of me, I could never catch up. For as long as I can remember she has made the choice to be not just content, but joyful and fun. (She told me yesterday that she had read an article that said people who laugh a lot, live longer. She also confided that she has been laughing as often as she can!) She has been a teacher, a co-president of the PTA with my Dad. She has been the president of a very successful company. She is an author. But mostly she has always been a positive person in everyone’s life. I don’t know of one single person who has not benefited from knowing her. She has emotions like everyone else. I remember her crying and getting angry and frustrated … but most of all she has always been positive that God answers her prayers and that he will bless her through any circumstance -- good or bad. I am always encouraged after being with her. Her faith is unwavering and contagious. Her attitude reflects both her goodness and God’s. That’s what I want my attitude to be. Thanks for listening to these last couple of very personal blogs. I wish you could all meet my mother. You would feel more content and happy and sure that your life was going to be good. Take charge and believe that today and you’ll be amazed at how almost immediately your attitude and your life will improve.
“For whatever circumstance I find myself, whether in want or plenty, I have learned to be content." ~ St. Paul
