THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Roadblocks Turn Into Stepping Stones

I just finished reading a wonderful book by Richard Paul Evans entitled “ A Winter Dream.” With quite a unique approach, it is a modern day interpretation of the story of Joseph and the coat of many colors. I would suggest it as a quick and enjoyable read for anyone.

After a series of twists and turns, the book ends with a letter to the main character, Joseph Jacobson, from his father upon his graduation from college. Part of it reads: “ My son, adversity is not a detour. It is part of the path…Your challenges, if you let them, will become your greatest allies. Mountains can crush you or raise you, depending on which side of the mountain you choose to stand.”

This concept caused me to warm up inside because I see examples of it all around me. Take Cancer for instance. Although its diagnosis paralyzed me with fear, I now have a radiologist and an oncologist in addition to my regular doctor. They all watch me carefully. I know it is this way with most Cancer patients, causing us to appreciate our health at an entirely new level. In  many ways Cancer makes us more alert and grateful people as we progress along our life’s path enjoying every minute we have left with our family and loved ones.

I have a son who has battled a weight problem for his entire life. Because of this, he took up the sport of running and has now run several marathons (including Boston.) He has dropped tons of weight and is in better cardio vascular health than any one in our family. My other two sons have struggled with addiction to Alcohol at various times in their lives. Both are sober now with one reaching his 10 year sober birthday just his month. He is now very active in the AA Program where he sponsors other alcoholics as they move along their road to sobriety. Helen Keller, who was born  blind, deaf and dumb became an inspiration to the entire world as she shared her story of determination and perseverance.

A  philosopher once said that we understand our lives looking backward although we must live them moving forward. He was right. During our times of adversity, life seems more difficult. However, when we look back, it all makes sense. Somehow those road blocks turn into stepping stones which lead us to the top of the mountains in our lives. It all depends on how we handle them.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Persistence and Determination

Recently I was reading a talk by a revered leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints named Melvin J Ballard. His topic was the importance of focused and concentrated Commitment. Immediately my mind filled with examples I see of this all around me. First, I have a neighbor who just buried her second special needs child. It will take concentration and persistence for her to progress through the holidays despite her recent heart brake, just as it took those same qualities for her to care for this child until she died three weeks ago. I also have a friend up the street whose husband is in the final stages of M.S. It takes persistence and concentration to care for his many and varied needs, so for now, other concerns and opportunities will have to wait. Another neighbor of mine is facing foreclosure on her home. By focusing and persistently concentrating on the situation at hand, they are moving ahead in the way they need to for the best results. Across the street is a family where the husband is in stage four liver failure and his wife has Lukemia. It is a full time job just to keep up with doctor appointments, treatments and medications. Many other interests have been shelved for now. And these are just the people on my block!

 I work at a bank and for many families, the economy has literally turned their lives upside down financially. With job losses and interest income virtually disappearing, new skills are being developed to navigate their way forward. My clients with Cancer are doing just as I did when I had the disease. Other concerns take a back seat while they concentrate on the things that will make them heal. New parents or parents in general, achieve success by persevering and concentrating on situations as they arise because each child is unique with individual concerns. My father is progressing forward with his life after my mother’s death nearly a year ago. He is concentrating on moving ahead as he makes a concerted effort to leave his grief behind him. What a difficult process this is! I also have a very dear friend from high school who just buried his wife the day before Thanksgiving. She died of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease.). She was only 54 years old. During her illness (she was diagnosed in July of 2011) their six children, their spouses and the grandchildren put most other endeavors aside as they focused and concentrated on her care, making her last days the very best they could be.

Calvin Coolidge penned a wonderful quote in which he said: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistency and concentration on one thing at a time. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The watch  word  ”hang on” has solved and always will solve most problems of the human race.” I am grateful for the great examples of brave and focused persistence all around me, so when the tough times hit (as we know they will someday) I will think of them, learn from their examples, and I will not fail.

Kathy Christensen