Optimism

I just spent part of the kiddos' afternoon naps watching the Michael J. Fox special that I DVR'd last night. Even though I didn't get the laundry folded, I feel like it was time well spent. If you didn't watch it or DVR it, come over to my house and we'll have a viewing-- I think it's worth it.

I don't think I would describe myself as an optimist-- I have hope, but "optimist" seems like a bit of a stretch to me. They talked to a psychologist who said that pessimists sometimes have to be able to think about the worst case before they can figure out how to move away from it. That pretty much sums me up. I'm a worrier. The study showed that if you let pessimists listen to a tape on how hard it is to throw darts, they did well. But, if they listened to a tape that told them not to worry about it, they did poorly. And vice versa for the optimists. So interesting. Maybe my "worry" is just a problem solving tool.

As a Christian, my hope comes from the Lord. I don't need to worry (easier said than done, I'm afraid). But the Lord is working on my heart.

I was inspired by Michael J. Fox. I could draw a lot of parallels between his outlook and the outlook we should have as Christians because of our faith. During a conversation he and Bill Murray were having, Bill said something that really stuck with me-- "Do the next right thing rather than doing the next thing right." WOW. If we could focus on just making right choices, rather than worrying about how that choice might turn out, that could be really powerful. As Christians, we aren't supposed to rely on our own ability to succeed anyway. If I just did what God wants of me, rather than worrying first if I'll be successful, think how much more impact I could have!

This is the most philosophical post so far-- don't know if there will be more of them or not-- but watch the special if you get the chance. And pray for Michael J. Fox-- he's got an attitude and a heart that will do great things-- how much more if he is working for the Lord!

I'll leave you with this, a paraphrase of something Mr. Fox said toward the end of the special: "For everything that's taken away, something greater is given."