Positivity is the answer Cleaning out a what-not drawer, which is a nice term for a messy drawer, I came across something I’d jotted down on a piece of scrap paper February 2001. It read: We’re faced with many things in life. I’ve run the gambit: an unfaithful mate equaling the ultimate betrayal of a loved one, death of a child, loss of a parent, monetary problems, health problems that included over a dozen surgeries and resulted in lessoning abilities, challenge to my faith… Much turmoil. Beneath those lines, was written: The milk of human kindness is drying up. At first glance, I thought, oh my, I must’ve been having a very bad day. Normally, I’m like the proverbial duck with water washing off its back; and never dwelling on things I cannot change. However, I was relieved as I continued to read. This missive was followed by this list of words: humor, optimism, striving for achievement, acceptance and resignation, never giving up or in, people enjoyment of beauty around me… work hard. Phew. I thought. I must’ve been on the verge but thank goodness, the old: Handle it! kicked in. Yes, I’m a note taker and maker. Anytime I hear something that might be used in a column, I jot it down. The bad part is, even though I have a small notebook in my purse (color coordinated even), I usually just reach for the closest piece of paper. I’m not organized. Thus, there are always scraps of paper at the bottom of my purse with little messages. They’re also stashed in piles on my desk. I find them beside the bed on the night table too. Also, the end table next to the chair where I might be sitting, reading or watching television. They’re virtually everywhere. I’ve tried to conquer this habit of noting stuff on backs of envelopes, on sticky notes, on receipts stashed in my purse… on scraps of paper, in other words. People ask where I come up with what I write about and I smile, open my arms wide and say “Everywhere.” Anything cried can be laughed and people are funny. Clichés, but apt. Take the newest sign I intend to post at my driveway leading into Wits End Comedy Club. It will read, Private Sign: Do Not Read. Anything for a chuckle. Life’s too short not to spend every minute filling it with laughter on your lips and joy in your heart. But don’t take my word for it, just stop, look and listen. When someone says their glass is half empty, tell them that an empty glass is the most fill-able. It’s all about perception, how you look at it. Light is seen only in darkness. Positivity. What other time is there? Just now. Right now. Time is always now. Action is the rest of thought. Before you put it down, pick it up, because, true education takes place within self. Pantyhose for women and neckties for men, both are too confining and unnecessary. Let me leave you with a chuckle. Once long ago, daughter Theresa was at a children’s birthday party and the hostess said to her, “My, your little brother is shy. He hasn’t moved from that corner all afternoon.” Theresa explained, “Tony’s not shy, he’s never had a necktie on before and he thinks he’s tied to something.” Remember, cheerful people resist disease better than glum ones. In other words, it’s the surly bird that catches the germ. Likewise, the secret to having a cheerful disposition might also be to remember that the Bible says “And it came to pass.” It doesn’t say, “It came to stay.”
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:42:26 +0000
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