Silly Kit!

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Create a positive day by sharing smiles and some laughs!

It's only ONE aspect of my life!

In October 2000, I injured my back. 7 back surgeries have left me with "failed back surgery syndrome"; a name doctors created when there was nothing more than can do. Due to nerve and muscle damage in my back and left leg, I use crutches. My friends have learned we eat at restaurants with high tables so I can stand (sitting is very painful after just 10 or 15 minutes).
The other day a friend took me out to run some errands. We stopped to enjoyed lunch. During our conversation, my friend said something that stuck with me. "Pain in only one aspect of you. There is more to you and our friendship besides your pain. Yes, it's there, and I'm aware of it, but we don't focus on it."
I am more than "just my pain". When I think about that phrase I realize how true it is. Yes, my day and what I do is determined by my pain, but the pain is not all of me. There are many aspects of my life that my pain doesn't need to impact. I can still care about someone. I can still encourage someone. I can be creative. I can carry on conversations about any topic that I find interesting. I can still learn. The list continues.
I am more than just my pain. There is more to me. Yet, it is up to me if I allow other so see more than just pain. That doesn't mean I do things I can't. It simply means that I don't make my pain the most important aspect of my life. I have a choice.
I don't want people to know only my pain. I want them to know about me, the person. I want them to know that my favorite color is green. I enjoy drinks with a lot of ice. I love snowcones anytime I can get one! I want them to know about Max and all the funny things he does. I want them to know I enjoy laughing and a good mystery.
Pain is only one aspect of me!

Creating a positive day is remembering that pain is only one aspect of my life. If I focus only on my pain, I rob myself of the joys and blessings God provides.

Do I act or react?

The other day I went to the bank. Several lanes were full, so there was a wait. The person in the car behind me was growing in patient. There was nothing I could do to hurry up the bank employees. As I was waiting for the tube to my arrive I was ready to REACT to the impatient person behind me. I was ready to grab the tube open it and throw the money on the seat and drive away. But something stopped me. I decided to ACT. Not REACT to total stranger. 

So, I slowly opened the tube and looked in.....There were only 2 items in the tube; there should have been 4! They had not given me all my money! I quickly pushed the call button and told them the mistake, and sent the tube back. That really got the person behind mad! He couldn't figure out why I was still waiting when the tube had already come! I smiled thinking, if I had simple REACTED to his honking, I would have been short changed—literally! It took a another 5 or 6 minutes for the bank to correct their mistake and give me the correct amount. As I drove off, I smiled. If I had REACTED to a total stranger it would have cost me $40. Yet, making the decision to ACT not REACT, proved to be well worth it.

This started me thinking. How many times do I REACT to a situation rather than ACT? I realize that not all actions/reactions cost me money; but there are other things which I can lose depending on what I do. I could lose sharing a smile. Or just enjoying a moment. There are many opportunities each day to either ACT or REACT.

For me, slowing down and thinking about what I do creates a much more positive day. The next time I am about to have a knee jerk reaction, I hope to remember the $40 and change my reaction to carefully thought out action. Positive actions are much more pleasant!

Is it responsibility or lack of faith?

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) Since God will supply, do I just sit back and do nothing? Or do I have a responsibility to do something? If I do something, is that showing a lack of faith, or just being responsible?
Now that I've got you thinking, I'll share my thoughts on the question. I think it's a combination of both trusting God and doing my part. God does expect me to act responsibly and use my resources well. I need to make wise decisions and be good stewards of my money, time, talent, and resources. Of course, God can do anything and meet any need without any help from me! God does not NEED my help—believe me!
Being on disability due to a back injury, I'm on pain medication. And each year, I hit the "doughnut hole" in coverage. (For those not familiar with Medicare Part D. When you hit a certain dollar amount, you become 100% responsible for the medication.) That means my medications cost over $400 a month, rather than just over $50. Since my pain medications contain morphine, I cannot stop cold turkey. Plus, the meds are necessary to just function each day. So they are a NEED.
This brings me to my original thought. With the increase in costs, do I sit back and wait for God to supply? I know He is ABLE. But, I personally believe that I have a responsibility too. What can I do being on disability and unable to work? I am more careful with using lights when I don't need them. I also unplug all my electronics at night. I never use the clocks on those things anyway! "But that's just pennies and you need dollars"....yes, but pennies do add up. And if I do watch my pennies, I know God can take care of the dollars.
What if God doesn't supply by the time you need to refill your meds? That's easy. I'll pay cash for what I can and charge the rest. Just because I have to buy the meds on that day; that doesn't mean God has to meet the need by that day. God is not limited by time. If I have to charge part of my meds, so be it. God knows that, and He can supply any interest added to the bill too. God is not limited by amounts either.
So, back to my original question. Am I being responsible or simply not having faith, if I do what I can to meet a need? My answer. I'm being responsible by doing my part while trusting God to supply my needs. There is still the faith that God can supply my needs, but God also has given me a responsibility to do what I can.
Now that I've shared my answer to the question, what's your answer?

Creating a positive day isn't just done when things are going "great". But creating a positive day is a possible every day, it's all a matter of "choice of focus". To create a positive day, you focus on the good things. Can't think of any? What about the fact that God loves you unconditionally? That is the most positive fact to focus on!

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Share a silly smile with someone—it will create a positive day for you and them!