Max's Ordeal

Every month or so, I have to trim Max's toenails. He HATES it. It doesn't hurt him, he just doesn't like being held and having his nails cut. When it's time to trim Max's nails, the hardest part for me is catching Max. No matter how I try to disguise what I'm going to do, Max knows something is up. He'll fly from his cage to his sofa and back all just above my reach. I've learned to chase him for a few times, and then "give up". Then Max will fly to me or a perch nearby, thinking he's won the battle... that's when I catch him. 

Anyone hearing his squawks, as I trim his nails, would think he's being tortured—of course, Max thinks he is. It only takes about 2 minutes to cut his toenails...and would take less if Max would stay still. Once I'm done trimming, Max hops up on my shoulder and yells at me for a few seconds....until he realizes he's fine. Then he promptly gives me a few kisses followed by some "pretty bird" and "happy" rants.

I often wonder if I act like Max when God is working in my life. When I sense God's about to do something, do I run and try to remain out of His reach?  (Of course that's impossible.) And When God begins the "trimming" to make me more in His image, do I yell and scream all the while kicking and straining as He works? Just as with Max, I'm sure if I'd allow God to work, and be "soft and pliable" in His hands, the "trimming" wouldn't take as long and would be very painless.
Max trusts me and is evident in how he reacts around me. He'll sleep on me, sit on me and fly to any room I'm in, so that he can be with me. He's sitting on my shoulder as I type this. You'd think because of the trust he has in me, he'd let me trim his nails without a fight.

The same is true with my relationship with God. I trust God. He knows what I need more than I do! And He has shown over and over that He does care for me and He loves me with an unconditional love.

So, when God wants to do some trimming in my life, what is my reaction? I wish I could say that I remain soft and pliable and let God work. However, I know that there are times, I kick and scream wondering why God would choose to work on me at this time or in this way. I'm so very thankful that God continues working in my life. The only way for me to grow in Him is to let God trim, whenever He wants.... as much as He wants...and by any means He deems best.

Each day, I must remain soft and pliable in God's hands. That includes remaining positive. God says very clearly in Philippians 4:8-9, "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." (The Message) If my mind and heart are focused on the positive things of God, I'll be much more pliable as He works in my life. 

Do I allow pain to control me?

As I was making my "To Do List" today, I found myself crossing off items—not because they were accomplished, rather, because I was having a "bad" pain day. Do I allow pain to control my life? Does allowing my pain to control me a good thing?

Limiting my activities so that the pain remains at a tolerable level isn't necessarily a bad thing. On the other hand, I can't let pain control me to the point that I don't do anything. If I do nothing, I'm in pain. And anything I do increases my pain. The trick is to find the balance of doing things and keeping the pain in a tolerable level.

I also think sometimes we have to push beyond our normal activities to see if we can tolerate more. Often we become comfortable at one level and don't challenge or push ourselves to our limits. Think of a marathon runner. They know they can run 5, 10, 15 miles. But 26 miles and 385 yards—that's a distance that pushes many professional runners. Yet, many are able to accomplish that task.

Back to my question, "do I allow pain to control me?" I'd have to answer 'yes, I do'. However, I hope that I don't allow pain to be the deciding factor. Otherwise, I would miss many blessings. I have to make sure that pain is only ONE of the factors in if I do something. I don't want to miss adventures because I allowed pain to have the final say.

As I go about each day, I need to monitor my pain, but not focus on it. My focus needs to be on the positive aspects of the day and what God is doing in my life.

The more positive my day,

the more I can do, and

the less pain controls my life!

Contagious....what am I spreading?

"You have such a beautiful
positive spirit...

it is contagious!"

The above statement was emailed to me this week. It was humbling and very encouraging. I liked the statement, "it's contagious".

 IT'S CONTAGIOUS!

Normally, when we hear that, it is in relation to illness. And when we hear  the word, contagious, we take the necessary steps to prevent us from catching the disease. We even go out of our way to make sure we don't "catch" the contagious bug. 

Shouldn't we put just as much, or more, energy into "catching" a good contagious bug? Being positive does take work, but no more than being negative. "Misery loves company." But do you really like to be in the company of misery? No, you'd much rather be with positive, uplifting people. Misery may love company, but no one loves being the in company of misery. 

In my last post I discussed that being positive is a choice. And this is one choice that not only effects you, but those around you!

Let's start spreading
the POSITIVE bug!

Just think what could happen, if we EACH create a positive day! Think of the contagious joy we could spread throughout our homes, neighborhoods, towns, and states. As more people are "infected" with the positive bug.... WOW!.....we could end up with  a "positive epidemic"! All because each of us created a positive day!

Anything Positive?

Yesterday as I was doing laundry, a lady came into the laundry room. (I live in an apartment building with the laundry room on the 4th floor.) During the course of our conversation, the subject of pain came up. It usually does since I use crutches. Come to find out this lady also suffers from back pain. During our conversation, I mentioned my philosophy, "Create a positive day!". In so many words, she didn't believe it is possible to find something positive EACH day.

Can you REALLY find something positive EACH day? I say YES, YES, YES!!! But it's UP TO YOU! I can't make you see the positive, and neither can anyone else. I can share the positives I experience, but it's up to you to enjoy them with me, and find your own. 

"I just can't be positive. I'm negative by nature." That's just plain HOGWASH! Being negative or positive is a choice. If you want to be negative, you will be. If you want to be positive, you will be. You can change a negative to a positive.... by just doing it. The choice is yours. 

Steps to be Positive

1. Make the choice to be positive. 

2. Look around you. Find 1 thing which you can be positive about.
(And don't say there isn't anything!!).
 It could be that you have internet access.
Maybe the sun is shining.
Or you are enjoying a cup of tea/coffee.
Find 1 thing. 

3. Now, you are on your way...continue LOOKING for the positive.
The more you LOOK for it, the more you will find!!!

Okay, some of you are thinking, I have internet, but it's not fast enough. Or it's raining here. Or my tea/coffee is cold. HELLO, those are NEGATIVE. Let's look at those examples. 

1. Internet. If you aren't satisfied with your internet speed, is there anything you can do about it. If not, be thankful you have internet...it at any speed. Just because the TV commercials say you need the "extra super duper out of this world speed"...you really don't. While you wait for something to load.... look around for a few positive things!

2. Weather. It's either too sunny, too wet, too cold, too hot. You can do something about each one! Too sunny, wear sunglasses, or a hat. Shut your blinds or curtains. Too wet; wear a raincoat, or use umbrella. Or change your perspective: Rain is Liquid Sunshine! Plants can't grow without both sunshine and rain! Too cold/hot: Put on sweater. Turn on a fan.

3. Drink. Too cold, warm it up. Too hot, put an ice cube in it.  

Each of these examples have one thing in common: Contentment. It's that simple. When we are content, we happier and have a more positive outlook. I live with chronic pain. Not an "ouch" pain... an screaming, unrelenting, intense pain. Am I content? Yes, even in my pain. How? Why? Let me get one thing straight, I'd love for my pain to be less. But I can be content regardless of my pain, because I know 1. God is in control. 2. My Doctors and I have done what we can do lower the pain level. 3. That there is more to life than just pain. 4. If I'm not content, I miss too many blessings! 

Create a positive day is vital to my contentment. When I create a positive day, my focus is on the positive things, not my pain. When I choose to focus on my pain, I'm creating a negative day. I have a choice. And I'd much rather choose to find the positive each day. And yes, it is possible.

Patience

Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast. (Wikipedia)

Why is it when we hear the word Patience, we cringe. We immediately think that we will be swamped with unpleasant circumstances to test our patience even more. "The state of endurance under difficult circumstances". State of endurance. How does one endure? What tools do we equip ourselves so that we can endure? And what if the difficult circumstances...are long term difficulties? How do we endure long term?

Enduring any difficulty, no matter how long it lasts, is best done with the proper tools. Equipping ourselves is vital to any challenge we face. We don't tackle household chores without the right tools, why would we approach our lives any differently? Yet, for some reason, our mindset when it comes to endurance and patience is "I can do it myself with no help". And that is why we fail. We need to equip ourselves with the proper tools.

The first tool to endure any situation is a relationship with God. When God is your Father, you have the greatest resource ever! He is the basis for all the other tools.

Next, you need to look a that the situation as short term. Look at how it affects you now....right now and make adjustments. The restrictions we put on ourselves, are changeable! Remember, you are looking at the SHORT term. Since, situations change, you can't see beyond this moment. (And God supplies grace for the right now! His mercies are new EACH morning for a reason!)

Ask for help! Yes, it's okay to ask for help!! For some reason we think if we ENDURE ALONE, we become "Super person". But the truth is enduring alone... usually makes enduring longer and we lose our patience quicker. Now the help you get can't change your situation, but rather can provide support and encouragement, both needed to endure.

Next, evaluate the circumstance. How did you end up in this predicament? Often, we create the very circumstances in which we find ourselves. Yes, we create the very difficulty we are now enduring! Sometimes, when you find out how you got into this position, it shows you the way out.

Now, look at what you can learn from this circumstance. This is the one step we often skip. Each time we need patience or to endure a situation... we can learn about ourselves. We learn we are stronger than we thought. We learn the areas which need work. We also learn reliance upon God.

Patience doesn't need to bring a since of dread. If we take time to learn from the situation, we become stronger and better people. Now, I know that some situations continue longer than you ever thought! Believe me, I understand LONG TERM ENDURANCE. But you want to know a secret? I don't have to have the patience or endurance long term! What do I mean..I take each day at a time. Some days I take it moment by moment.

Patience helps make any day more positive. The more slack I allow those around me, the better my day. When I lose my patience, it makes me and my day miserable, not to mention those around me. To Create a positive day, patience is just one of the tools needed.