We are entering the holiday season. Commercials bombard us
with images of the perfect family (healthy and happy). These images can misdirect
our hearts and minds and leave us with feelings of sorrow. We are not
in a perfect world and no family is left untouched by sorrow, grief, pain, illness… I am no different.
This last year has been filled with its “Highs & Lows”. I
am blessed with an art career that is successful (teaching, shows, publications…),
a new granddaughter, a new kitchen, wonderful friends, a loving husband and
family. I also have had my lows. My son Daniel was diagnosed with Hodkin’s Lymphoma,
my Dad and Step-Dad both had cancer this year, my tiny grandson was hospitalized,
and I am still struggling with a disc problem in my neck. I can be thankful
that Daniel has a good chance of beating cancer, both my Dads are in remission,
and grandson has recovered.
Before we get lost in the busy-ness of the season I want to
share a quote with you. It is hanging in my studio. It is a wonderful reminder that
there is very little in life we have any control over except our attitude. I choose to have an Attitude of Gratitude...and pray!
ATTITUDE
by, Charles Swindoll
“The longer I live,
the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more
important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than
money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other
people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or
skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable
thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for
that day.
We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that
people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only
thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...
I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And
so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.”
Happy Thanksgiving!
Brenda