I guess I should have written this post before the end of last year but things have got in the way! It happens and I strongly believe that ‘things’ happen for a reason.

Around October time last year I decided to purchase some of Norman Vincent Peale books – he is the author of many Positive Thinking self help books. Why? Well, my father has always been a big fan and while visiting my parents one Sunday afternoon I spotted “The Power of Positive Thinking” in their book shelf along with two more Peale books.

One of the other books was about the Power of Imaging and the concept of visualising positive outcomes or changes that one desires has always intrigued me. Personally, I have never been too good although I seem to have little difficulty in imaging the worse case scenario!

At the time, a very close friend of mine was going through a tough situation that required some difficult decisions. Her father had cancer and her mum needed support but they lived a 3-4 hour drive away – should she sell up and move? It was very hard for me to remain objective as I really didn’t want her to move.

I tried to see the positives for each scenario and the lasting impact those decisions might have. Reading those books was, as it turned out very timely. They helped me to help my friend and myself. Time doesn’t wait for our decisions, it goes on regardless and after only a few weeks her father passed away but she had spent as much time as she could with him and was there with her mum when he finally went to be with his Lord and Saviour.

Not long after, another friend had reached the end of her tether after 18 months of heartache and there comes a point when your mind can’t take anymore. She was at that point and turned to me for help – it took immense courage for her to do so. Again I was able to draw on the ‘positive thinking strategies’ I had been reading.

By the end of November I made the decision that 2015 would be the year of being positive! It seemed that so many of my friends were facing such trying times.

Why is it so hard to be positive when its your own situation? I guess you lose the ability to be objective, to see the bigger picture.

As you know I have suffered with a disc prolapse for over 3 years now. I manage it with exercise and have learned how to move around and do things with less impact on the lower back. With regards to working, my husband had made a wooden platform for my laptop to that I could work while standing.

It might be limiting but I could still walk which is something I love and value. That was the positive comment I always said when other people offered sympathy. “Oh I don’t mind not being able to sit as long as I can walk I’m happy”.

Then I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. If you have never heard of it before look it up. My husband has had this in his left foot for 18 months now so I know all about it! Unfortunately mine has developed in both feet. It means I can’t stand or walk much at all – it’s like standing on broken glass.

So I can’t sit for long or stand or walk for long – what do I do? Not very positive is it?

Be positive I keep telling myself.

Have you ever seen the film Pollyanna and her ‘Be Glad’ game? Basically you find a reason to be glad about a situation which seems pretty bad!

My daughter came up with this one last night:

“You can be glad that daddy also has it so you’re not suffering alone”

Hmm! I’m not sure that is how it works! 🙂

Anyway, the outcome is that I am spending a lot of time reading and praying! I’ve not been working on my business much at all and I apologize that I am not writing as many blog posts as usual.

Perhaps this is my time for contemplation. Maybe God has something better for me and I need to stop and take stock in order to see where He is guiding. Therefore I can see something positive in my current situation and it’s what I have to remind myself each day.

What About You?

How has your 2015 started? Do you feel positive about what lies ahead or are you facing difficulties? Maybe it’s time to slow down and take a real good look around you.

Time to count your blessings and put things into perspective.

Time to reach out and help others.

Time to appreciate the things you do have.

Time to discover your real purpose.

Time to get to grips with what value you can bring to others.

And time starts NOW! In fact it’s already ticking!

Let’s not waste our time feeling sorry for ourselves and the circumstances we’re in. We might feel the pain, the frustration, the anger even but it’s our choice to take that step, to take action and use where we find ourselves today for something better.