Exciting Day

Today should be exciting. After I make a pot of coffee and walk the dog, I am going to clean out my closet. I need to reduce the tonnage by about half.

But you never know what a day will bring. September 11, 2001 started out like an ordinary day. I will take the mondane over that kind of excitement any time.

It was interesting in group the other day. One of the patients argued with me when I got a bit too positive. I began the group by commenting about what a nice day it was. Outiside it was sunny, blue skies, and temps in the 60's. Then I said, "Of course every day is good day in its own way." To me, every day is a nice day. A day is neutral. It is when we add own our plans to the mix that things become positive or negative.

A farmer may be turning cartwheels on a rainy day, while a guy who planned a picnic with a girl may be depressed. The person in the group was adamant and insisted that some days are BAD. Well, too each his or her own.

Depression messes with your thoughts. Many years ago I was talking to a young man who was depressed and he said something to the affect in a slow halting voice. "I wake up in the morning. . . and see the sunshine. . . I look at the blue sky and hear the birds singing. . . in the distance I hear children playing. . .then I think to myself. . . God I hate life."

I am not Polly Anna. I know there are a million ways to have a bad day, but unless I am in some dire situation, in excruciating physical pain, or deep mental anguish, I am going to call it a nice day and keep moving.

So maybe a day with an agenda as exciting as cleaning out a closet ain't so bad. I'll take it.

Photo: Since the hurricane, I can see the sunrises. What used to be a curtain of leaves and branches blocking the early morning light is no longer there. The same can be said for the western view and the evening light. One beauty relplaces another.

Until the next time
John Strain

Bear Report

by Bear

Happy Friday everyone, it's me Bear and I want to tell you how I've been. Dad told me he got some email from people wanting to know about my prostate problem. I am happy to report that I am doing just fine.

Tomorrow I take my last Cypro pill, yippiee. I don't like pills, so dad has to shove them down my throat. He opens my mouth and sticks the pill way at the back of my mouth. Then he holds my mouth shut and I swallow it. Yuck.

At first, dad hid the pill in some peanut butter, but I got to where I knew something was wrong. I ate the peanut butter and spit out the pill. Dad got real frustrated and said some words I couldn't understand. Mama told dad not to use those words. I think he was mad because I didn't swallow the yuckie pill.

Next, dad stuck the pill down in some sausage, but I got to where I found the pill and spit it out of the sausage too. Dad finally decided to cram each pill down my throat himself.

He told me that if I would get used to eating pills with peanut butter or sausage, mama could even give me my medicine.

I guess I should have kept eating the pill laced treats, but it's too late now.

I feel good. Dad and I have fun taking long walks and playing tennis ball. I can't wait for tomorrow, because on Saturdays I get to go on long long walks.

I hope you get to take a long walk and play tennis ball this weekend too.

Have fun.

Bear

O-freakin'-riginal

I bet it has happened to you. That is, open a file folder to get a form only to find that someone used the last one. Even worse is when the last form was the original and somebody used it.

For such offenses, work is presently going on in hell to dig pits deep enough for those people.

It has happened to me plenty. I know folks get in a hurry, but using the original is low-down; it breaks "the code."

The post-it note above is what I put on the next original I printed off and placed in the folder fully stocked with fresh forms. I also put one in my desk drawer. I guess I lost my faith in humanity - no trust.

Similar crimes are not replacing the toilet paper roll, the paper towel roll, leaving the car on empty, putting an empty milk container in the refrigerator, and leaving the bread bag unsealed.

Grrrrr.

There are lots of things that aggravate me. I could list lots of them if I tried.

On the other hand, I am most thankful that it is only minor things like these I have to worry about. Aggravations and circumstances come and go in life. There will be times approaching overwhelming, but not now; and not for me.

Since that is the way things are, I won't be smug. I won't brag or delude myself by thinking it is because of something I have done or not done. I won't fret and worry when things will change.

I will accept things for what they are and be thankful. When the storms of life come for me - and they will come - I hope I can respond the same way; with acceptance and an awareness of what is good.

Here's to rolling with the punches life throws our way. Here's to life.

Until the next time
John Strain

Reading your mind

Think of a number between 1 and 10

Now multiply that number by 9

You should have a two digit number. Add those two digits together.

Take that number and subtract 5 from it.

Now we will assign a letter of the alphabet to your number. If your number is one then it is A, if your number is 2 then the letter is B, if your number is 3 then your letter is C, and so on.

OK, think of a country that starts with your letter.

Now take the last letter of that country and think of an animal that begins with the letter.

Take the last letter of your animal and think of a color.

OK, are you ready for me to read your mind?

Are you thinking of an Orange Kangaroo from Denmark?

I thought so.

Until the next time
John Strain

It's the action that counts

If it is the thought that counts I would be liable for some pretty bad things and responsible for some very nice things. My thoughts are all over the place, but my actions are what count.

I thought about sending Christmas cards. I thought about taking something to a patient at the hospital over the weekend - it was his birthday. I thought about anonymously slipping some money to a fellow employee who could use some help. Good thoughts, but no action.

I wish I were half as good as I think about being.

At least compassion and goodness are not the only thoughts I respond to with inaction. I let go of a lot of angry thoughts as well. That is a good thing.

Note to self. When you have a good thought / intention; follow through. Pick up the phone, spend the money, say what is on your mind, fill the need, and go the extra mile.

Anyone can think a good thought, but it is the action that counts.

Until the next time
John Strain