Stephen R. Covey

"Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us."

You hear people say things like Mr Covey and it sounds so great in theory. But what about practice? Practice *IS* the key. The hardest work I have ever done over the last few years is to train, direct, and guard my thoughts. It does take practice. It isn't easy when someone harms you, to bless them, be grateful for the experience, and refrain from slandering them to all your friends. But it can be done. It isn't easy to hear a juicy piece of gossip and refrain from picking up the phone and spreading it. But it can be done. And it gets easier.

I watched Facing the Giants the other day. There is a line, where the coach says, "if we win, we praise Him (God), if we lose, we praise Him. I was thinking how similar that is to gratitude. If we have good things happen, we can choose gratitude. If we have bad things happen, we SHOULD choose gratitude. It's all about the attitude.

We had an experience with a son two years ago as a senior. We are having the exact experience this year with the current son who is a senior. But, the way we are handling it is night and day. Last time, there was emotion, upset, and distress. This time, there is thought, planning, and resolve. I think the outcomes will be drastically different.

Choose your thoughts. Believe.