Positive vs. Negative: A Challenge for You

They say that bad things happen in threes, but it seems lately that bad things are happening in much more than threes.

Fortunately, things are in good shape for me. I wish I could say the same for everyone that I care about, though. One good friend lost her father unexpectedly over the weekend. I have been dealing with the difficulties that come with watching loved ones grow old and start to drift. It’s hard to watch people that you love dearly start to lose touch with reality, and even worse to watch their health decline. The worst though is watching one of my best friends, Dan, lay in a hospital bed, sick and scared, not knowing what the future holds for him. I know that Dan is going to be okay, because I refuse to believe anything else. But what can you do in a situation like this to make someone feel better, to give them comfort?

What makes things like this harder to deal with is the fact that it is the holidays - time for good food, cheer, family, friends, and tradition. No one should ever have to spend the holidays sick, sad, alone or in a hospital if you ask me.

I know that it is hard - SO hard - to watch people you love grow old, become sick, fight disease, and be in miserable places like hospitals. I also know that if it were ME, I wouldn’t ask for anything - but I’d sure love to have support and company. I’m choosing this holiday season to spend as much time as I can with the people whom it might be the hardest right now to spend time with. Going to a retirement home might not be your idea of a fun evening, however I can tell you firsthand that you can find some of the most amazing people and most entertaining stories there. And seeing someone’s day completely made is totally worth it.

And if hospitals aren’t your bag, just remember they really aren’t anyone’s. I HATE hospitals, but if I were in one I certainly wouldn’t want to spend my time there alone.

I am a very strong believer in the power of positive thoughts. Focusing on the negative in life only brings more negative. And focusing on the positive creates positive energy - something this world can use a lot more of!

This holiday season I’m choosing to focus on the positive - I have a grandfather who still lights up when I go to visit and has more entertaining stories than anyone I’ve ever met. And I’m so excited for Dan to come home and go bowling with all of our best friends! He is going to be better very soon, I can feel it. He is the most positive person I know and if anyone can beat this, he can.

There is a lot of negativity out there, but I’m going to make one of my famous “challenges.” I’m challenging you to focus, not on the negative, but on the positive. Give with an open heart as much as you can of your time, energy, money, whatever it is that you can spare. Because if we are honest with ourselves, we all have a lot to spare, and if we all did more sharing, the world would be a much more abundant place!

Happy Holidays to everybody!