Thing #1: I had to take a little hiatus from my summer vacation and go to a four day training. In the midst of that training, I was able to apply some really great new strategies and understanding about my job to my curriculum writing. It turns out that this was such a boost in my writing that I will be making a nice little extra paycheck this summer. How awesome is that?!! Creativity is a must have in my life if I am going to feel positive.
Thing #2: My contractors were able to get so much done on the house that I get to move back home tomorrow. Yes, I said tomorrow!!! I have been out of my house for five FIVE months now. I was so over the top excited about this that I went grocery shopping today to stock the house with healthy food. I have never been so happy about grocery shopping in my life. Being healthy and having a comforting environment are essential to my emotional and spiritual well being.
Thing #3: I went in to have a CT scan this week. You see, people think that once you have that good ol' remission statement in your hand that treatment and doctor visits are a thing of the past. The truth of the matter is that once you've had the big C, you are forever in this loop of check ups and treatments. Here's the positive thing about this, I never fear getting sick. My doctors are so on top of my health that every little itty bitty thing that comes along gets taken care of. If it weren't for these constant check ups, labs, and tests, I would be so much less aware of what my body is doing and how to keep it in the best health possible. I'll keep you all updated on that CT scan business. I have to have a healthy lifestyle if I am going to feel good about myself.
Thing #4: One of my wonderful readers/friends sent me a great resource for this blog. The Healthwell Foundation can help patients with certain illnesses pay for various treatments. When my friend, Julie, was first diagnosed with RA, the medication she was prescribed had a monthly copay of $150. The foundation paid that copay every month for about three years. I have added the website for Healthwell Foundation to the resource page here on the blog. Julie and I both hope that this will be of assistance to my readers. It is so important to feel connected whether that be to my significant other, my friends, or my family.
All of these things got me to thinking about how positivity enters our lives, and I came to the conclusion that it has to do with what we deem as essential. You knew there was going to be a challenge for you, right? Here it is. Make a list of the things that you believe are essential to your happiness. Why am I asking you to do this? Once you know what your essentials are, you are going to see all of the wonderful things that you have, and you won't be focusing on the obstacles you are experiencing or the things that you don't have right now. This is my list. You know, because it's my blog and all.
1. love
2. family
3. down time
4. daily contact with that someone special even if it's just a quick text -- it's the connection that's important
5. honesty
6. exercise
7. healthy home cooking
8. live music
9. patience
10. play
11. pets
12. the outdoors
13. magic
14. openness
15. open mindedness
16. revelling in the diversity of people I encounter
17. learning from failures/mistakes
18. only taking on what I need or want to take on
19. boundaries
20. helping others heal
21. creativity
22. feeling at home
OK. Are you inspired to make your own list? Ready. Set. GO!!