Sunday after mass, I stopped to say hello to a woman that recently had a stroke. I've known her for a few years and wanted to see how she was doing. She was improving greatly. She is able to get around with a cane and do almost everything she did before the stroke.
While visiting, she told me what happened that night.
She was setting the table for dinner for her and her husband, when she lost feeling in her left arm and was unable to lift it. She had an appointment the following day for a cat scan for a pinched nerve in her back. Figuring that it was the pinched nerve that was to blame, she and her husband decided not to go to the emergency room that night and wait for the appointment the next morning.
Arriving at her appointment the next morning, the nurse noticed her limp arm and slurred speech and asked her about it. The nurse recognized the symptoms as stroke and rushed her down to ER, where she was admitted into the hospital to be treated for the stroke.
During this woman's therapy, she was always in good spirits and had a great sense of humor about it. Why? What has happened you cannot change, so make the best of the situation.
She continued intense therapy for 10 straight days, working hard at it. Why? She was scheduled to go on vacation in 2 weeks with her husband and she was determined to go no matter what. Nothing was going to stop her. She was making amazing progress.
A gentleman who also had a stroke recently, was next to her in therapy. He, on the other hand, was down and just complaining. He wasn't even trying. The woman joked with him and perked him up. He saw her progress. The next day, this man started to work on his therapy. He started improving.
Since this woman ended up helping the patients with her positive attitude, the hospital did not want to see her leave. Even though she would have loved to help, she was leaving for vacation and nothing was going to stop her.
We can all take a lesson from this. What this true story shows us is, even though there are things in life that we have no control over, we can still take control of our lives. Life always throws us a curve ball and obstacles in our way. It depends on how we deal with them as to what our future holds. We in essence decide our fate. We have to make the best of the current situation. We need to be determined to change the outcome to a positive.
So, here you have it. A positive attitude does make a difference.
This is so very true...My father,may he rest in peace, was told by his doctors 15 years before his death to get his affairs in order. He fired that doc and found one who believed as my father did. If you have one last breath it is worth fighting for!! He survived another 15 years with an amazing quality of life due to his attitude!!!I am a firm believer that attitude is what it is all about!!
Happy Tuesday!!
Lori
Lori:
I, too, believe that attitude is what it is all about! I have also seen the opposite of where the person is down and out, and his life is miserable. The mind is an amazing thing!
Have a great day!
Brigita
During this woman's therapy, she was always in good spirits and had a great sense of humor about it. Why? What has happened you cannot change, so make the best of the situation.
That's true! Gary talks about this very important topic in SHIFT. In fact, it's number one on his list of Twelve Tactics For Tough Times.
Bruce:
So true! We need to get the positive message out to cancel out the doom and gloom. Maybe more people should read SHIFT.
Brigita
Brigita - Thanks so much for sharing this story. It so simply drives home such a strong and important message. Attitude does make the difference.
Nice post Brigita....I am dealing with a major curve ball in my life right now...and I am doing my best to keep that positive attitude
Thanks Brigita, attitude can make a huge difference in recovery. ~jen
Lynn:
It sure does! I've been through some tough times myself.
Brigita
BLR Guy:
I know sometimes it can be difficult. But hang in there. Been there, done that, myself. I have to admit that praying helped, too.
Keep the positive attitude. It will get you through.
Brigita
Jen:
It definitely does! You also need to work hard at it.
Brigita
You are so right attitude is everything, thanks for sharing this story
your friend in Charlottesville Virginia!
Charles:
We need to get more positive attitudes out there. Maybe by showing our experiences it will help. Doom and gloom is certainly not good for anyone's health.
Brigita
My Mother believes in positive attitude and I was raised on it. Mother knows BEST!
Brigita, you are a sweet soul....thanks for the positive post and reminder of what really is important in life!
Brigita - Great post! We cannot help all outrageous things that happen to us, but we can control our reaction to much of it.
Debra:
So was I!
Brigita
Kristin:
Glad you liked it!
Brigita
Myrl:
Exactly my point!
Brigita