Put on a Happy Face...and Heart

Proverbs 17:22 (KJV)
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Lots of people have asked me how I'm feeling. You know, folks with cancer get that question often. I'm honest with my response. I feel great! Really, God is blessing and I feel really good. And then, they all say the same thing, "You have such a great attitude!"

Although I have had times of sadness and depression in my life, now is not one of them. All the "what ifs" have come to pass. I have cancer. My husband has cancer. All the monsters that were under the bed, are now sleeping peacefully beside us. There is nothing else to be afraid of. I quickly realized that I had no control. This was firmly God's department. So I turned it completely over to Him.

Crazy, right? Now, I just put one foot in front of the other and take each day fresh and new. I spend a lot of time on my knees, too, talking to God about my fears, gratitude and burdens for others that are hurting. Getting real with God is easy when life gets truly scary.

When The Hubster and I got our heads shaved last week, we had the whole salon laughing. We brought the camera and made silly faces, enjoying every minute. That's what life is all about, savoring each moment and squeezing out every bit of fun, until the last drop is gone. Happiness is a choice; a decision I make every day.

God has outrageously blessed my life. I am touched with grace...mercy...love...purpose. I have a mission, given to me by my Savior. I will encourage those around me, as long as my body has breath. And even after. I want to leave a legacy of joy and significance.

How about you? Does your attitude give you wings to fly, or are you crippled with care? We can't control much of what happens in our lives, but we can command our attitude. Why not choose joy?

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Health Update: I am off to CTCA:Zion, IL tomorrow, with Chemo Treatment #2 on Wednesday, and back home on Thursday. Please pray for me as I fly tomorrow. I hope Hurricane Sandy won't cause too many problems. Watch Female in Motion's Facebook fan page for updates this week.

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Female in Motion Exercise Update: I did four 22-minute treadmill workouts last week. I also increased the speed and intensity. Exercise seems to help my attitude, too!

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Notable Quote:

"Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude."--Dale Carnegie, author and motivational speaker