Good Things Happen

"If I were to say, 'God, why me?' about the bad things, then I should have said, 'God, why me?' about the good things that happened in my life." - Arthur Ashe

You have probably asked this in your own life, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" It is an longstanding question that really serves the purpose of wondering why things happen at all. As humans we have a never ending quest to understand why anything happens to or around us.

So when it comes to the question itself, bad things do not happen to just good people.

Bad things happen to all kinds of people.

Life is that way and it is within our human nature to wonder why.

As an example, a good friend of mine has been battling cancer. There is a bigger story leading up to this but certainly allows one to ask the question why. Through all of this, his attitude remains positive and hopeful. Whenever I ask how the day or moment is going, he gives me a thumbs up. He understands the reality of that day or moment, but hope abounds within him.

And with that thumbs up, I know not to focus on just the bad in life.

I am unable to predict the outcome of someones predicament, but I can learn from it. Circumstance comes with life, it just does. Even with all of the bad which seems to happen in life, there is also goodness occurring each and every day to people.

If we concentrate on just the bad, we will believe that only bad exists.

If we give attention to the good, then hope will strengthen and lift us.

So I ask you to believe in good things happening just as often, if not more, than the bad. Treat life with a positive outlook even when the bad happens. Let those good things in life be the greater focus.

Stay inspired by friends.

Figure It Out

"Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle." - Lewis Carroll

I happened upon an early morning Facebook status which read, "Trying to figure it out.?!?" It was a question that made me think this person had life questions to answer. Their statement surely meant they were questioning a decision to be made or the results of a decision already made.

There are so many possibilities one might conjure up regarding what is happening in this person's world. It could be good, it could be bad, but nonetheless it seems to be a troubling question to them.

Many things happen to us throughout our life.

Events and circumstances can cause us to wonder the 'why' of it all. A roller coaster ride sending us into a low spot or even derailing. The path we take in life gets challenged by these events. Each one can cause even the most positive person to wonder the same thing - why?

Knowing each of us will one day be "trying to figure it out" helps prepare you for those moments. It does not make it any easier but we need to understand that life is full of puzzling moments.

And life is also full of great moments.

Phrases such as "the sun will shine once again" or even the well used "...light at the end of the tunnel" seem old and outdated. In fact some people even refer to that light as an oncoming train.

While those phrases might be old and worn, I insist those statements do support your ability to overcome adversity.

You may not feel like it, but rest assure, life will get better.

You will "figure out how."
You will "get through the circumstance."
You will "figure out the question."

Stay inspired my friends!

Being a Friend

What does being friendly or a friend to someone mean? There are ideas of what friendship are from many different people;

“True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island..to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.” - Baltasar Gracian

“A friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself.” - Jim Morrison

“A true friend is someone who is there for you, when he'd rather be anywhere else.” - Len Wein

“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it's the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with his friend.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are also clinical definitions of friendship;

"Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behaviour between two or more humans." - Wikipedia

"Friendship, the state of being friends (or friendly)." - Wordnet

It is a simple word, it is derived from Old English and is related to the word free. Other forms of the word are; freond, "to love, to favor" and frijojanan "to love".

From the Encyclopedia of Psychology, "research has shown that people who have friends tend to have better physical health and report a better sense of psychological well-being than those with weak or no network of friends. Friends provide support in three main ways: emotional, cognitive guidance, and tangible help."

I define friendship as having an open ear to someone that wishes to tell you their story.

It is small acts of kindness such as an open ear or an encouraging heart. Friendship can be a short exchange between yourself and cashier at the grocery market. It can be a co-worker, your wife or one of those long standing people you have known for years.

Friendship is a way of life that you project to others.

Be a friend, let it be a part of your life. And stay inspired my friends.

Climbing Each Day

"I have learned that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it." - Unknown

Everyday can seem like we are climbing a rock face. Pushing ourselves to get to the next rock ledge only to find another shear wall to climb again. We struggle and sometimes catch ourselves wondering if it is worth all of the effort.

Many will discontinue the climb.

These are the people who set up permanent residence on rock ledge, limiting the movement they can make in any direction. The rock ledge is small and doesn't provide much space to grow.

Many will climb back down.

They resign themselves to never see the amazing view of their dreams. The bottom seems safe and secure, but very little light reaches those areas. Your vision is confined to short distances, never to see the horizon.

But there are those who continue the climb.

Facing the daily grind and change in direction of the climb, difficulty is expected but also part of the adventure. These people know what awaits them. In fact the higher you get, you get greater glimpses of it. When we reach the top, we are rewarded with a view so wonderful and great.

The view lets you see other mountains to conquer, new dreams, new goals.

Continue each day to push onward and upward. There will be setbacks along the way, but the outcome will be fantastic. You have the abiity inside to complete the climb. Once you arrive at your dream, you will wonder why you ever doubted yourself.

Stay inspired my friends.