Communication

Communication. Last night I realized how important being able to communicate is. There was an incident at my neighbors. One person was very upset and the rest of us were trying our best to bring peace. The only problem, the agitated person spoke no English, and the rest of us didn't speak the needed language. After 2 hours, the situation was finally under control. 

As I was trying to drift off to sleep, I started reflecting over the situation. How frustrating to talk and have no one understand you. You could be saying something very important, yet no one would have a clue. It made me very thankful that God understands all languages. And He goes beyond my words to knowing and understanding my thoughts. That is comforting. There are no language barriers with God. Anyone can talk with Him and He understands and hears.

The next thing I realized is the importance of being heard.

I saw my chiropractor today. I mentioned how having the adjustment table set at a different angle was more comfortable. So, Dr. Moore quickly adjusted the table. He heard and understood what I said. The results were good for us both. 

On the way home from Dr. Moore's I stopped at a store. As soon as I walked in, I heard "Mommy, Mommy, look".... over and over and over. I looked.. and saw the cutest little puppy. It was trying to walk on the slippery floor and was sliding. The little boy wanted his Mommy to see the puppy trying to walk. Yet, the Mommy was too busy on the cell phone. When she did look, the puppy had been picked up by her owner. The little boy's face said it all. He had tried to communicate with his Mom, but she didn't get the message. 

We all like it when someone listens to what we have to say. Sometimes we need a response, but often, we just want to be heard. I'm very thankful that God hears me....anytime and anywhere. 

Knowing that God hears me and understands is very helpful to creating a positive day. It's a comfort that God is listening. 

Can you spare two cups of coffee?

During these tough times, the bills seem to be more than the income. However, if we look, and often not very hard, we can see areas where we can find a little extra money for a good cause. We find money for what is important to us.

In my last post, I mentioned Bruce, who is running across America to raise awareness for the Community Crisis Center, located in Elgin, Illinois. The Center was founded in 1975 by a group of dedicated volunteers to help those in crisis due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or economic circumstances.

6,275 individuals, including 593 children, received services in FY 2008. Our staff worked with 1,539 victims of domestic violence and 372 child witnesses to domestic violence. We provided 11,325 nights of emergency shelter to 308 women and 295 children.

Step by Step,
Foot by Foot
Take a step with Bruce...

Donate $12

Bruce is literally donating his feet (and entire self) to this cause. This makes his feet key to the movement. So we thought, what if you could buy every step Bruce takes? There are 12 inches in a foot, thus the idea was born. With every step, Bruce runs to make sure there's always a safe place to go. He runs so that his past helps create a better future for others. 12 inches × 5,280 feet × 3,000 miles = endless possibilities!

To donate, click on this link!

It's very easy to do,

and will help many people.

http://www.crisiscenter.org/run/#Donate.

You can create a positive day simply by giving up just 2 cups of coffee this week. Often we look at our circumstances and say we can't do anything. To create a positive day, sometimes means a small sacrifice on our part. In this case, only $12.
To all of you who took that time to click on the link and donate, THANK YOU! Please share this great cause with your friends. Let's encourage Bruce and all the staff and volunteers at the Crisis Center!

Comparison

Yesterday, I was talking with my chiropractor, Dr. Moore.

We were discussing Bruce Johnson,

 a gentleman running

across America to raise awareness and money

for Community Crisis
Center, Elgin, IL (http://www.unitedstatesrun.com/).

He is running about a marathon a day to accomplish his goal. He's had a few injuries recently, yet he continues to run in spite of the pain.

There are many people who can continue to do amazing things no matter the pain. How do these people accomplish that? There are days where my pain is so intense that I can't do much more than get dressed and make to the sofa. When I compare what I can do with other others do it's frustrating. Why can't I ignore my pain and do......whatever?

But then I stop. Comparison isn't always a good thing. Pain is very personal. Each person is able to handle pain differently. I've learned how to function well with a constant headache; however, some can't lift their heads off a pillow when they have a headache. We don't know how each other feels or what they are feeling. We only know what we experience and what our bodies can tolerate.

Some days I do push myself beyond my limit. But for me, that still backfires, has I end up on the sofa for several days until the pain level lowers to a functional level. But if I don't push myself from time to time, I won't know what I can do or handle. Yet, I can't compare my life with someone else. That's not fair to me or them. I do need to continue doing what I can each day to continue building stamina and tolerance to the pain. I need to work at listening to my body and realize when I'm reaching my limit and when I can push for more.

When I look back to the beginning of my pain journey, I can see the progress I've made. I've learned much about chronic pain and how the body works. I now can tolerate more pain than 9 years ago. And I've learned many techniques to handle chronic pain. Learning to live with pain is a journey. And a great deal of tolerating pain is mental. The mind is powerful and controls much of our health, however, we don't use the power of the mind like we should.

I look at others, like Bruce, who continue with their journeys in spite of the pain and applaud them! For me, I need to work with in my abilities and work toward my goals the way my body and mind allow me. I won't compare my progress to theirs, but their stories and lives will be inspirations to what the body can withstand.

Will I ever run a marathon? Probably not. Even before my injury, I was not a runner. But I do know that if I continue to work on my goals, I'll be closer to them, each year—that is one comparison worth making!

Creating a positive day is a personal achievement. Each day, it takes all my mental, physical, and spiritual abilities to create a day that is positive in all areas of my life. And all that energy spent, is well worth the effort. 

You can also follow Bruce on FaceBook:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/United-States-Run/143331158263?ref=nf.

Step back or a step forward?

When something 'bad' happens
to us, why do we usually consider it
a step backward?

Why don't we see it as a step forward?

 Usually if something 'bad' happens to us, we see it as a hindrance, rather than moving forward to our goals. Everything happens in our lives for reasons and each happening is a teaching moment. Therefore, we shouldn't look as going backward, rather we are continuing moving forward and growing.

For example: On Friday, Feb. 5, I fell while getting out of my car. The fall wasn't hard, or far. But, I did twist my back and shoulder. Immediately, I thought of all the things I wouldn't be able to do this weekend. All my plans had to be put on hold.... or did they?

I was looking at the fall as a "step backward". My shoulder had been bothering me for sometime and it was just starting to feel better... now it's hurting again. If I look at it as a step backward, then I'm not looking at the positive aspect and I'm questioning God's will in my life. Instead, I need to see this as a step forward!

The fall has allowed me to move one step closer

in my relationship with God.

How?

1. I say that God leads me and cares for me. This is just one more opportunity for me to relax and allow God to work.

2. I need to re-evaluate my plans. One of my posts, talked about plans being etched in stone. I need to remain flexible and allow God to change my plans for His glory.

3. I continue to talk about creating a positive day. This fall has given me another opportunity to see the positive in what I could easily see in a negative situation.

I hope the next time something happens to me, that instead of seeing it has a hindrance or a step backward, I'll see it as another step forward to reaching my goals.

Creating a positive day is not just a Pollyanna belief. Rather it is looking at each situation as an opportunity to grow.

Enough

Last night as I was standing in front of my 365 Days of Thanks Calendar, I was reflecting on the day and deciding what I should add to the calendar. I decided on ENOUGH. Just, enough. I'm thankful that God is enough. That God supplies enough. That I have enough. Just, enough. Oh, at times, I'd love to have more money or more things... but really I have enough.

I have enough money so that I remain dependent on God. Having more would make it easier. However, when I have to depend on God to pay the bills and care for me, I learn more about God and His creative ways of supplying. 

There are "things" I'd like to have, but don't really need them. More things may make some tasks easier, but then again, are not necessary for living. And if I had more things, would I ever be satisfied with what I have? 

Enough. I have enough to accomplish God's will. I have enough to live so that I can glorify Him. I have enough...if I keep my focus on God. If I look to the "Jones" or "Smiths", then I begin to want.. and that is a sin. I need to know that I have enough.

God is enough. Often people want things to fill a void in their lives. They know something is missing, and try to fill it with things. Yet, a relationship with God fills that void. God created us to have a relationship with us. When that relationship isn't developed, we feel incomplete. God is not a religion. God is God. He is our Creator. When our relationship with God is in order, than God is enough. However, if that relationship has been hindered in any way (all on our part), than we begin to want. 

So, I'm thankful for ENOUGH. God is enough. God supplies enough so that I continue to build my relationship with Him. And when my relationship is right with God, than my days are positive.