positively sick

I almost never get sick. I mean, even when I feel a cold or sore throat coming on, it usually ends up as a benign illness that lasts just a few days. This past week I was in bed for a few days. My sinuses were painful. My nose was totally blocked. I went through dozens of tissues. I also had to cancel 4 different get-togethers with family and friends at home.

Often it's difficult to focus on the positive in life. I'm not sure why that is, but I believe humans are more prone to see negatives. Look at what news stories catch everyone's interest.

Hooray for me that while I was feeling terrible I found myself grateful I was sick during our break and not during school. Auntie Ellen took care of me.

It's easy to take something as significant as my health for granted. Once my sinuses cleared and I could breathe, my normal, healthy state was far easier to appreciate. (I do still sound a little froggy today.) We need the bad to properly experience what good there is.

I'm not much of a resolution-maker. But this year I'm going to keep trying to see all the good I have more than the hurts, the negatives, the losses. Part of that is saying how much I love all of you. Happy New Year.

Here's to all of our health. And more importantly, our perspective and ability to remember how blessed we are. 2008 will be a good year for me. I'll be sure to see it that way.