By D. Paul Reilly

Recently, I noticed that I was having difficulty in reading. I presumed that I needed to get my eyes tested and get a new set of lenses for my glasses which would alleviate and/or rectify the problem. So I made an appointment with my Optometrist to have my eyes tested. After quite some time in the Doctor's office, he suggested that he'd like me to see an Ophthalmic Surgeon to take a more 'In-Depth' look at my eyes. When I heard that, something told me that all was not well with my eyes. So I made the next appointment and had a very thorough test of my eyes again. At the conclusion of the second test I got bad news, I had Macular Degeneration.

Now my regular readers will know of my belief, that ALL problems have solutions. So having got over the initial shock about my diagnosis, I simply asked the Doctor what could be done to correct the problem. There seemed to be a silence that lasted forever, and then he said that he was not hopeful that the problem could be healed. He did however suggest that I see a visiting Retinal Specialist who visits the Bahamas from the US for a couple of days each month. I have set up this appointment and will see this Specialist in about four weeks time.

Now yesterday as I was having great difficulty in reading, I'll be honest with you, I began to get quite depressed, and even teary. But then I looked out the window at the garden, at all of the beautiful flowers in full bloom. The sun was shining in all of it's brilliance, and I reflected on the fact that in some parts of the world, like in the Maritime Provinces of Canada, it was still cold and damp. I immediately switched gears in my mind, and began to thank God for all of the good in my life. I then wrote down the title of this article 'Give thanks---no matter what!'

My Friend, perhaps you're going through an extremely difficult period in your life right now, and it's actually getting you down, you're starting to get negative and depressed. Now in spite of your present 'Very Real' difficulties, I'm asking you to mentally shift gears from negative to positive. As difficult as it may seem, why don't you start to focus on everything that is right in your life right now. After all, you're alive, which is a whole lot better than the alternative. As you reflect on all the blessings which you presently enjoy, give thanks to God for them. Make a determined effort to be extremely grateful for all that's good in your life, concentrate on the good, the positive.

This mental procedure will immediately lift you up in Spirit, and you'll be in a much better frame of mind to deal with your problems. Give Thanks RIGHT NOW! I believe, you'll find that to be a powerfully, positive exercise to participate in. That's right, stop feeling sorry for yourself RIGHT NOW, and instead, focus on all that's right in your life, and give God thanks for it.

THINK ABOUT IT!

dpr@humanRI.com