Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Focusing less on the negative aspects of our lives and more on the positive aspects can help us to better cope with daily living and bring constructive changes into our lives. Helen Keller serves as role model for positive living and is known for her courage against overwhelming odds. Despite her handicaps, frustrations with learning, and numerous setbacks, she chose to move forward by focusing on what she could do instead of what she could not do. Keller chose to re-frame her negative situations and focus on the positive. As a result, she’s recognized for a life devoted to helping others and always looking forward. She said, “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened before us.”
Her inspiring attitude is powerfully expressed in these lines from her poem, “On Herself."
They took away what should have been my eyes
They took away what should have been my ears
They took away what should have been my tongue
He would not let them take away my soul---
Let's remember to have an attitude of gratitude as we approach the hectic holiday season when our patience will be tested. A positive attitude changes everything!
“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24