"HOORAY,I'M SICK, WATCH GOD HEAL ME!"

"HOORAY, I'M SICK, WATCH GOD HEAL ME!"

Or, ATTITUDE 101


Well, where do I start? I suppose I should start about three weeks ago when I received a phone call from my baby sister, Dr. Pinky Doodle. (it drives her crazy when I call her that but I like to think that I am doing my part to keep her humble) Anyway, I get this phone call telling me that my 94 year old mama has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
My first question to myself was, "What business does a 94 year old woman have getting breast cancer?" My next question to myself was, "Do 94 year old women get breast cancer?" And my third question was…well, I don't know if there was a third question, after all, #1 and #2 were enough! Now most folks are some put out when they get news like that but not my mama, she says, "well now, I've lived a long and abundant life and if I go to sleep now it's o.k. 'cause I'll be with papa again and we will have all sort of good times together!" That is sort of paraphrased but you get the idea; she isn't afraid of the grim reaper, not a little bit.
Anyway, mama decided at first not to do anything about it but my sisters prevailed upon her to have a partial mastectomy and the doctor removed a tumor the size of a golf ball from her left breast. This is where the story gets rich. Mama has this sweet relationship with Papa God, they are on first name terms and they talk a lot and have real good times together so mama goes into the operating room singing praises to God and when she woke up the first thing she did was sing praises to God. Mama is an inspiration to most folks and a frustration to a few mean, nasty old farts but, please God, help me to know you like my mama knows you! 94 years old, (she weighs about as many pounds,) this little lady has more Christianity in her little finger than most folks ever dreamed of. She gives, not out of her abundance, she just gives. She sings, she quotes poetry, she plays the piano, she quotes entire chapters of the bible because it has become part of her. I could go on and on and on about my mama.
The doctor told my sis that mama could last several more years just because of her attitude!
Oh well, I sure am pleased to be Mrs. Towne's little boy!
You have a good day now ya hear,
Chaz

SUGER ADDICTION

Long before those decked out goblins and ghouls and superheroes arrive on doorsteps this Hollow’s Eve many adults will have dipped into their stock of candy. Though intended for trick-or-treaters, the majority of adults admit to purchasing their personal favorites during the biggest candy selling holiday of the year, expected to exceed $2.2 billion. This year the average American adult will consume about 160 pounds of sugar, despite ever growing awareness about its pernicious effects, ranging from diabetes to obesity. Could we be addicted to sugar?

It’s possible, according to Princeton University researchers who have studied the signs of sugar addiction in rats. They’ve shown that rats bingeing on sugar demonstrated the three elements of addiction: a behavioral pattern of increased intake and changes in brain chemistry; signs of withdrawal and further changes in brain chemistry upon deprivation; and, signs of cravings and relapse after withdrawal is over. Lead Researcher Bart Hoebel said sugar triggers the production of the brain’s natural opioids, and the rats become addicted just as they would to cocaine, alcohol, and nicotine. Do you have a sugar dependency you want to eliminate? Do you find yourself engaged unhealthy patterns such eating while watching television?

Pay attention to the messages you are sending yourself. When you make a statement, your brain searches its vast network and the world around to validate what you say and determine whether the statement is true or not. For instance, the statements “I have no willpower” or “I can’t stop eating sweets” automatically causes your brain to search for and find validation based on your limiting beliefs. The key is to ask questions and make statements that invite the tremendous power of your brain to seek positive outcomes and solutions.

Next time you’re about to cave in to an unhealthy craving or habit, ask yourself the following questions.

* How would I feel if I didn’t eat this sugary snack?
* What have I learned from my sugar dependency?
* In what ways have I already demonstrated possession of my desired healthy eating habits?

Place your questions in highly visible locations, such as near the refrigerator or next to the remote control. Consistent reminders will result in a noticeable shift in focus—from negative to positive.

Sugar intake lessons our mental, emotional and spiritual resistance.

(One thing the article didn't mention was prayer!)

A TRIBUTE TO MY WIFE

Thank you Papa God for giving Nanny to me, I thank you for my Nancy, my wife..
Nan is an absolute wonder, one of God's miracles.
She might be a bit childlike at times but then there are so many of those around her who are acting so damned "mature" they have forgotten what its like to be like little children, and who wants to be around people like that?.
The world is so full of grumpy old farts it's nice to be around someone who likes to laugh at the antics of a butterfly, and praises God's handiwork no matter how simple, and whether I deserve it or not I know that she loves me.
While illness has perhaps made her more innocent it has made her more gracious at the same time.
She smiles and praises God when other folks, supposedly with everything going for them, are frowning and complaining.
She finds reason to laugh when others are bitching and moaning.
She forgets so many things but she remembers my name.
It might be dark but there is always a light in her eyes and when she whispers, "I love you!" My heart overflows with joy.
She demands little, expects little, asks for little, is content with little and gives much.
My Nanny has multiple sclerosis and Alzhiemer's disease and I am probably going to be in the kingdom of God because of her.
She teaches me, she teaches me patience, mercy, tenderness, compassion. These are some of the things she is teaching me and though I am a slow learner, I am learning. This then is my wife, my Nanny, and I love her
Thank you Papa God for giving Nanny to me, I thank you for my Nancy, my wife.

SAINT CAREGIVER

Well now, several years have passed in this caregiver's life. They have at times been frustrating years and then there have been some interesting years mixed with few tumultuous years, but one thing I can say for sure, there have been absolutely no dull years.
Care giving has its lessons, lessons in humility, lessons in patience, lessons in endurance, (mental and emotional endurance that is.) And If degrees are ever awarded for care giving I just might qualify for at least a bachelors degree. (But then, I am sure, when we get to heaven caregivers are going to be awarded honorary degrees along with a big gold button with, HONORARY DOCTOR OF MERCY printed on it and Papa God himself is going to pin the buttons on us. Yes, I think I'd like that.
Care givers? I imagine that Papa God must really love care givers, after all, He has been giving care to a lot of sick folks for a lot longer than I have and He seems to be pretty good at it too.
And something else, I imagine that caregivers are going to be awarded sainthood. Yep, just like mother Theresa and Francis, after all, one of the qualifications for sainthood from what I understand are miracles and in every caregiver's life there are an absolute abundance of miracles. They might be small miracles but miracles nonetheless, like showing a spirit of compassion and mercy or smiling in the face of hardship or yielding one's own desires for the needs of another, and I could go on and on but I won't because saints are humble and we all know that I am blessed with great humility.