"The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind." -- William James

Alive & Well Archives

March 2003

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TODAY'S QUOTE:  "Each day comes bearing its own gifts.  Unite the ribbons."

                                        --Ruth Ann Schabacker

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TODAY'S TOPIC: Life’s Positive Treasures

Many times my heart feels warm, and I really notice all the beautiful and positive treasures life has to offer.   Recently, I’ve also noticed the kindness of everyday people who go out of their way to help others.  Nature, too, offers beautiful moments and treasures.  As I sit here writing this, my house is surrounded by at least two feet of snow, and the snow continues to fall.  I sit in awe of the beauty all around me.

Unfortunately, despite all the beauty in the world, a lot of people are focusing on negative things and people right now.  We’re in the middle of a war, and the economy continues to struggle.  Many feel uncertain, afraid, upset, angry and generally negative.  Yes, unscrupulous and unkind people exist in the world.  Yes, there are a lot of negative events that generate uncertainty.  Yes, there are a lot of people who will cut you off on the freeway or cause you stress.

But, for every negative person or negative event, there are many more kind people and many more beautiful moments.  For every unscrupulous person, there are many more people with amazing integrity.  For every person who cuts you off in traffic, there are many more who will let you into their lane.  The trick is to see the kindness and the beautiful moments.  The news generally focuses on negative events, and conversations often revolve around negative situations.  I’m not aware of any newspaper or news show that focuses strictly on considerate and compassionate people or beautiful moments.  So it’s up to you to see the beauty in everyday situations and people. 

Let me give you a small example.  Last week, my tire blew out while I was driving 65 MPH down the highway.  Fortunately, I was able to pull over on the side of the road.  I had never changed a flat tire, so I didn’t really know what to do.  As I sat on the side of the road, I felt very nervous as cars flew by me.  Then a man on a Harley Davidson pulled up to help.  I was so touched that someone would take time to help me.  He changed my tire for me, which took at least 30-40 minutes of his time.  But not only did he fix my tire, he also reminded me that people are kind.  People do care about strangers.  He got all dirty as he changed my tire, and he took his precious time to help a total stranger.  Wow!

Let me give you another example.  Yesterday, Denver’s blizzard started, and my boyfriend shoveled his sidewalks.  While he was already outside, he also shoveled the sidewalks for the older man two doors down.  We’ve had at least two feet of snow, and it’s very heavy snow; shoveling isn’t easy.  The old man didn’t ask my boyfriend to help.  My boyfriend just did it, because it’s the right thing to do.  I told him I thought he was very kind.  He said, “That wasn’t kind.  That was just the right thing to do.”  The man couldn’t shovel himself, so my boyfriend did it for him.  He expects nothing in return.  He just wanted to help.  Yes, my friends, kindness does exist.

Kindness is not the only thing that exists on a daily basis.  Beautiful moments and situations also exist.  For example, the birth of a child is a miraculous and beautiful event, and children are born everyday.  Glorious sunsets and sunrises happen everyday.  I’m watching beautiful snow fall all around me.  Though it’s not a daily event, it’s amazing and beautiful.  How about the stars at night?  They offer a beautiful sight.   

Yes, everyday brings us glorious moments.  As I stated earlier, the trick is to focus on the positive and see the glorious moments.  For every negative thing or person, there are so many more treasures and kind people.

So how about it?  Are you willing to see the beautiful moments and kind people despite all the negativity around us? 

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Coaching Challenge

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Notice the kindness of strangers.  Notice life’s beautiful moments.  Focus your attention on the positive things in life rather than the negative.