A friend's laugh

I entered a challenge at Crafty Scraps, and one of my layouts won! How exciting is that! This is the winning layout.
The topic of the challenge was FRIENDS. It's an honor to call Cathy a friend. She is a very godly and caring lady!

Want to enter challenges too? Stop by Crafty Scraps and look under "FORUM". It's fun to see the various layouts created with a single kit. (The "friends" challenge has ended, but check out the others!).

This challenge enabled me to share Cathy's joy and laughter with others. Each who commented on this layout, could see joy in Cathy's smile, and were encouraged. Creating a positive day can be as simple as sharing a smile (even in a picture) with others.

SMILE and spread the joy around....it will create a positive day for you and those around you!

Sept 14-20, 2009

96% of Illness is Invisible - Awareness Week Validates Those Who “look so good!” but Feel Awful

SAN DIEGO (2009) Nearly 1 in 2 Americans has a chronic condition, and 96% of them live with an illness that is invisible. These people do no use a cane or any assistive device and may look perfectly healthy. Sixty percent are between the ages of 18 and 64.

September 14-20, 2009 is National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. The theme is “A Little Help Gives a Lot of Hope.” It is a major public awareness campaign sponsored by Rest Ministries, an organization that offers a supportive environment for those who live with chronic illness or pain. Sept 14-18 NICIAW features a free virtual conference with 4 seminars each day available to listen to live or download later.

Paul J. Donoghue and Mary Siegel, co-sponsors of the week and authors of Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired: Living With Invisible Chronic Illness say, “Invisible chronic illnesses (ICI) have symptoms that are difficult to see and impossible to measure such as pain and fatigue. So those with ICI frequently encounter not compassion and support but impatience and skepticism from physicians and loved ones.”

“Living with an illness that is invisible to those around us can often have a more devastating affect on our emotional health than the physical pain,” explains Lisa Copen, 40, the founder of Rest Ministries who lives with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. She was recently awarded the Audience’s Choice Award for Women’s Health Hero of Our Bodies Ourselves out of nearly one hundred applicants. “Each day we must choose to thrive, to do something out of the ordinary, or make a new friend. It’s easy to get in the habit of living a life of survival.”

“A large part of our campaign is reminding people that just a little help to someone who is ill or hurting can give them a lot of hope.” says Copen. “Just because someone isn’t using a wheelchair doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have a disability. Friends and family of those with chronic illness care a great deal about what their loved ones are going through, but oftentimes the invisibility of the illness sets up an environment for misunderstandings and even doubt about the validity of the illness. We hope to increase awareness of how many people ‘look great’ but are hurting deeply.”

Outreach includes various events: the distribution of free literature such as cards with multiple ways to encourage a chronically ill friend. Other resources include You Look So Good: A Guide to Understanding and Encouraging People With Chronic, Debilitating Illness and Pain. Churches and organizations across the U.S. will be participating by in having people share their stories.

For a complete list of events and resources visit www.invisibleillness.com.

Shhhhhh.....Max is sleeping!

Here's a layout using a kit from Crafty Scraps.

Shhhhhhh....Max is sleeping!
I think it's so cute when he sleeps with his head tucked under his wing, and stands on one foot. His balance amazes me.

Nana makes dinner fun!

I created this layout using the Jazzy kit from Crafty Scraps. Michelle makes great kits! Stop by her shop sometime and take a look.

Nana makes dinner fun!

Perspective

Perspective. It truly effects how we see things and respond to them. If my perspective is inward and all about me, my problems and situation become overwhelming. When I see everything else through "me" my perspective is warped. My sight is limited and clouded by my judgment and thoughts.

If I change my perspective to see things from another person's, things look very different. Often my situation seems small in comparison. That doesn't mean my situation is less significant, rather I see it through new eyes.

Another thing about perspective. The more I look inward and the focus is on me, I miss so many opportunities to encourage someone else. If all I do is look at my situation and problems, they will continue to grow. However, by looking at another person's life and situation, I can give encouragement and support. Personally, I'd rather give encouragement and support, than wallow in my own self-pity and problems.

Change your perspective and create a positive day for yourself and someone else! The change is well worth it,—but then again it's all a matter of perspective!