46 Cents

It's 6:30 am, and I'm doing laundry. It's a great time to do laundry, since most of the people are either going to work, or still sleeping. The loads are in the washers right now. 

After getting the washers going, I usually check the dryers before I head back to the apartment. If the doors are shut, it can cause moisture to build up; therefore, I open the dryers to that they can dry out, before I need them. 

This morning

as I opened one dryer door,

I found a surprise!

There were coins in the dryer...46 cents to be exact. Now, we don't use coins to run our machines anymore, so the coins must have fallen out of someone's laundry. Since it was in plain site, the person who removed the clothes would have seen the money.. but left it anyway. Perhaps to them 46¢ isn't much. 

What is 46¢? It was one quarter, a dime, a nickel and 6 pennies. Perhaps not much. However, this morning it was a GREAT reminder that God can provide in MANY ways! He can take care of bills all at once, or 46¢ at a time!

I think that God had fun "planting" that surprise for me this morning. He knew that I needed a reminder that He knows what is happening and that He is in full control! He hasn't forgotten me. He hasn't been ignoring me. Rather, He's been planning a surprise!

46¢—no, it won't pay a bill, or even pay for a load of laundry. However, it was EXACTLY what God knew would get my attention and was the EXACT amount to show me that God will provide in His way, in His time. 

Creating a positive day isn't about the amount of money you have. Rather it's knowing that God knows exactly what you need, and will supply those needs in His time, in His way. The only thing I have to do is be a good steward of what He gives me and trust Him to take care of the rest.

Relying fully on God

is the most positive experience

I can imagine!

New Direction!

In Oct 2000, I injured my back. Since that day, I've undergone 8 back surgeries, many procedures, and taken more medications than I can count. This year, I felt that my body had reached a toxic level and I wanted to see what I could do to lower my medication dosage. So, in June I started weaning off my morphine and Tylenol 4 so that I could undergo Lidocaine Fusion treatments. On July 20, I had the first of what was to be 5 or 6 treatments.
The weekend following that first treatment, I caught a stomach bug. That caused the next Lidocaine treatment to be canceled.

I have always believed

that NOTHING happens by chance.

God allows each and everything

to happen to accomplish His plan.

As I was trying to recover from the stomach bug.... God directed me to do some research. The more I read and studied, the more I believed that this was the direction I should go.... but what would my doctors think? On Monday, I discussed it with my Chiropractor. He is fully on board and thinks it's a great idea. On Tuesday, I discussed it with my Pain Management Doctor and she is very excited and even recommend a book to help me.

What is this NEW DIRECTION? I'm going to eat only organic and natural foods. No processed,  no chemicals, no dyes, etc. The more I researched the more I learned many of the chemicals found in our processed foods can create pain.
This will take some time, and it may not work. However, it can't hurt me! Yes, my pain level is high. However, the past few weeks as my body has been detoxing, I've noticed some changes.... and VERY good changes. My headache is still there, but less intense. The pain in my side which I've dealt with for over 4 years, has decreased and at times is totally gone. If these changes can happen in just a few days... what COULD happen over weeks, months, years of eating only Organic and Natural foods? I have NO idea. But, after much prayer, and seeking the advice of my doctors, I am going to see what happens when I change my diet. If my pain level becomes unbearable, my chiropractor has an all natural supplement to aid in reducing inflammation.

As I said, I believe everything happens for a reason. And by me getting the stomach bug, it has allowed me to start detoxing. So this is the perfect time to try this new direction and see what happens. If after a while, I find that my pain level is still too high, than I'll reschedule the Lidocaine Fusion treatments and take it from there.

I could have been very frustrated and disappointed with getting sick and having to postpone the treatments.

However, since I was working

on creating a positive attitude, 

instead of being upset,

I decided to see the good in the situation!

And by doing so, I now have a new direction to try. I'm excited to see what God has planned as I move forward! I'll continue to keep you all posted!!

Create a Positive day!!! 

Smile Time

What makes you smile? 

If you take a minute and think about smiling, something will come to mind and you will start smiling, and may even start giggling. It could be a joke you heard, or an incident that happened, or something silly you did. No matter what, there are certain things, which when we remember them, make us smile. 

I think it's time we schedule

"smile time" into our days. 

There is something about a smile that makes you feel good. It's been said that a smile is joy bubbling up from inside. I agree. 

The other day a friend told about her son wanting "rooster juice". She had no idea what he was talking about. So the little boy went to the frig and pointed to the Apple juice box with "Big Bird" on it. Each time I think of that I smile. How cute, Rooster Juice!

If you've been reading my blog, you know that I've been dealing with a higher than normal pain level as I had to go off my medications for a new treatment. I was finding it harder to smile, when I just wanted to cry.

God realized this and provided  something to help! I stopped at a store to buy a new pillow. However the store didn't have the pillow I wanted, but did have a VERY CUTE little Snowman! (See picture) As I passed the display I smiled, and even giggled. I continued shopping, but couldn't get that snowman out of my mind. I returned to the display and put one in my cart. "SnowCone" now sits in the living room where I can see him. Each time I look at him, I smile. I have no idea why. It could be his silly smile.

I wonder how many other times, God has provided something special to make me smile, but I was too focused on my pain, or worry, or whatever, to see it. Each day God provides exactly what I need. And that includes things to smile about. 

Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Psalm 94:19 "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

Proverbs 15:30 "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."

"SnowCone" is a good reminder to smile. No matter what is happening, God is greater than the situation. Even if the situation seems hopeless....God provides HOPE! God loves EACH of US with an unconditional love. That fact alone makes me smile. 

Yes, there are 'bad' things in the world. But God has overcome the world to provide Hope, Love, and Eternal Life to those who believe in Him. 

If you really want to enjoy a positive day, then schedule some SMILE time. Take a moment to remember something special that makes you smile. You will feel better and your day will take on a new focus.

Creating
a positive day

is as easy
as smiling

at a silly snowman!

Mondays. Do we have to dread them?

Today is MONDAY. 

This morning I am doing laundry. As I was waiting by the elevator (the laundry room is on the 4th floor), a neighbor joined me. She was heading to work, and was late.... again! Then she went on to tell me that she is ALWAYS late on Mondays. She just can't get going on Mondays, because she doesn't like them... period!

Why are Monday's so hard? There is even a song, "rainy days and Monday's always get me down". I remember when I was able to work, it always seemed like it was harder to get moving on a Monday. I was never sure if I had too much fun on the weekends, or if it was the thought of going to work and the week ahead. Whatever, Monday's seem to bring a source of dread.

How can we dread a day,

when it hasn't even started? 

It's all because of our mindset! 

We've been conditioned to dread Monday's so.... we do! We think of Monday's as a punishment: back to work after having fun all weekend. But Monday's aren't really bad. In fact many good things happen...each day INCLUDING on Mondays! 

I think we should start calling the day after Sunday, MAGNIFICENT MONDAY!, or MARVELOUS MONDAY! Why not? If our mindset can make us dread the day, then let's change our mindset to look forward to the day! 

So far today, my Monday has been GREAT. I got up and took my shower, took my last "weaning off pill", am doing laundry, and will get to see my chiropractor later today. Max is sitting on my shoulder singing and saying "happy" and "pretty bird".  I'm sure that as the day continues, I'll enjoy some blessings too!

YES! IT'S POSSIBLE

to Create a POSITIVE DAY...

... on a MONDAY! 

It's all a matter of your mindset! So, will your Monday be Marvelous or Magnificent? (A dreadful Monday is simply NOT a choice!)

Grilling! Yum!

A few weeks ago, God gave me a small grill. It's the perfect size for me. The first time I grilled it was steak. On Saturday, although I didn't feel like grilling, it helped me ignore the pain and provided some yummy food! This time, I grilled onions, ground turkey burgers and the buns. A few extra so that I can enjoy grilled burgers without all the work of grilling.

There are steps necessary to grill. First I have to clean out the old ashes, then add the new coals, set the grates. I also set up some chairs to keep the birds away from the hot grill. For safety, I fill a pitcher with cold water, just in case the fire gets too big. Then I get all the food ready and light the coals. Wait for the fire to die down, add the food, wait, and ENJOY! 

Just as there are steps to grilling, there are steps to living a positive life. The first and foremost is a relationship with God. He is the one who not only supplies eternal life, but also gives grace to live each day. Another step is to keep your focus positive. If you focus on "all the bad things" it will drag you down. Yes, there are bad things that happen, however, there are many good things too! Another step is to share the blessings with others. That way you remember the blessings and others can rejoice with you. And lastly, take time to thank God for the great things He does for you, including loving you with an unconditional love.

If you feel overwhelmed,  one way to create a positive day is to do something special, (in spite of the pain). Yes, grilling did increase my pain, but I sure enjoy the "reward" of the yummy food afterward.

Here are some pictures from the latest grilling episode.

(View left to right then down)