DAY 403 Choosing to See the Rainbow In the Midst of the Storm

Good morning, Journal & Friends!

Instead of whining yet again today about not being able to post pictures, hows about I make this a THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT post??

My world has been rocked lately with all this stuff about MyGuy's job being up in the air... which rocks our financial world, which rocks our future. 

(Insert amusing and/or nostalgic photo of an adorable toddler on a rocking horse... can you see it?)

But at the same time the tough stuff is going on, there are also GOOD things, if I will SEE them... have eyes to see, and a heart of gratitude. I am really working on that. And you know what? I found some stuff. :-)

(Now insert a goofy happy kitty face here... got it?? See? You have quite the imagination)

Okay, in no particular order:

**MyGuy has been having chest pains for over 2 months. The results of his Stress Test came in last week: he passed with flying colors. Not only that, they said for his age (61) he has "above average exercise capacity". His heart is fine!

(Insert svelte gorgeous woman jumping up and clicking her heels in joy shouting Yeehaw!)

**At the beginning of last year, my blood pressure was known to climb up as high as 170's over the high 90's. 

NOW, at the last doctors visit recently, it was 129/72.

**For years whenever I wore shoes with a strap that went around my heels, I had to ask Jim to pull it into place. 

NOW, I can reach to do it myself.

**I used to need at least 3 hours to shower and get ready to go somewhere, and by then I was exhausted and wished I could just go back to bed. 

NOW, I can get totally ready in 2 hours, and still feel spunky and ready to go.

**I have areas on the bottom of my feet that need "grinding" occasionally... you know, the hard callouses that build up and become sore to walk on. Jim had to work on them for me in the past. 

NOW, I can reach to do it myself.

(Insert picture of little kid with dirty smudged face, proudly saying "I do it myself!")

**At my highest weight of 460, I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, and had to use a machine at night to keep me breathing while I slept. The setting was a high 14.

NOW, they recently re-tested me and I was able to reduce the pressure of the air blowing into my nose from the tubing to a more comfortable 7. The lowest setting on the machines is 4, so in time I am very hopeful I will be able to totally be OFF that machine!!

(Insert celebratory fireworks bursting into a midnight blue sky... can you hear them going off??)

Even when things are whirling around fast and confusing... if I can just slow down long enough to tune in, I can find things for which to feel thankful. And for THAT, I am thankful. ;-)

Today's Peek at the Past (This was so perfect for what is going on in my life right now, I just gasped! It was from 1 year and 1 day ago.)

From Day 41, September 19, 2009:

"Imagine if those

 with the hardest thing to overcome

 were actually the most blessed"

To have that perspective BEFORE I got to goal, I would have to include things like:

• Gratitude, for all I am learning along the way
• Hope, for a positive outcome
• Trust, that it will work out for my ultimate benefit
• Determination, to reach that goal in spite of obstacles
• Imagination, to see into the future a victorious outcome
• Courage, to plunge ahead into an unknown future, but knowing it contains rewards for my efforts

(For complete post "A Can Opener for the Mind" click HERE) 

From Dr Phil's book: "You must never relax your watchfulness over your thoughts, feelings, and actions."

My verse for today: "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."

My quote for today: A Native American elder explained their tradition in which they believe we all have within us a "Good Dog" and a "Bad Dog", that will always be fighting to be in control. When asked which one wins, he simply replied: "The one that you feed."

Enjoy the Journey,

Loretta

=^..^=