The Good News is....

“The man who tries to grab the shining stars from out of the sky goes crook on life, and calls the world a cheat, and tramples on the daisies at his feet”

What is much loved Australian poet, C.J Denis trying to tell us?  Is life predestined or do we have a choice? Is it a pursuit of happiness, money or even power? Life, for everyone is different but the good news is everyone can control their own destiny and make their life what they want.

         
For me life is a journey, an adventurous journey, through valleys, over the highest mountains, along many plains, across raging waters and serene lakes. For everyone life brings high points, low troughs and the normality of everyday. Everyone faces storms and conflicts but everyone also has the chance to enjoy peace and harmony. So whilst we are travellers on this journey, we may be forced to take a detour and we may have to chart our way through storms but essentially we choose our own direction and how we enjoy the journey. And that is good news!!

Many people believe that everything is pre-destined and fate controls our lives, while others believe we can choose whatever we want, even if fate deals us a bad hand, Of course history is full of people who have chosen to make the best of their lives despite the difficulties facing them. Nelson Mandela fought for justice in South Africa only to be gaoled by the white government for twenty-five years. He never gave up hope and despite the best years of his life being spent in jail he emerged to become the first black president and lead his country to reconciliation. His commitment to truth, justice and understanding is reflective of a man determined to make the best of his life.

 At 19 months Helen Keller lost her hearing and eyesight to scarlet fever. She never lost hope and nether did her family. At 7 years old, a teacher, Anna Sullivan came into her life and gave her a glimmer of hope. Seizing this Helen achieved her dreams of teaching others despite her own problems. She achieved worldwide fame for having overcome her double handicap of deafness and blindness to become one of the most influential public figures of her time, working tirelessly for the rights of the handicapped. She was a suffragette, an enormously popular public speaker, and a successful writer. She was  a true pioneer of social advancement.

However the good news is that it is not only extraordinary people who can achieve great things. Many everyday people have overcome challenges to make their lives meaningful and happy.

Trisha Broadbridge an Australian  who had her world turned upside down when on her honeymoon she was widowed during the boxing day tsunami. Facing a future without her husband, she was determined to make her life worthwhile for his memory. She returned to Asia to establish a medical centre for local people who had lost everything.

       Gillian Armstrong, an Aussie living in London could have wallowed in self pity after she lost her legs in the London underground bombing, however she defied doctors and proved life is what you make it when she walked down the aisle at her wedding on artificial legs.

Perhaps the most heart-warming example of struggling against overwhelming odds is a young boy named Bradley Wolf. At nine months he was with cerebral palsy. His family never gave up hope that one day a miracle would happen. And it did. At thirteen Brad wrote his first message to the world, ‘I Love You Dad.’ In his thirteen years, of not being able to communicate Bradley taught himself to read, he wrote and memorised poems. Neither he nor his family ever gave up hope. Despite his disabilities and his wonderful mind being trapped in a twisted body, he made his life inspirational.  Although he died a year later he proved that life really is what you make it.
      
Nelson Mandela choose to make his life honourable and a blessing for his people and indeed the world. Helen Keller strove to do what others thought impossible.

Trisha Broadbridge and Gillian Armstrong instead of being devastated by their loss decided to do something about it.
These people did not focus on their misfortunes, they did not focus on what they didn’t have but on what they did have and made the most of their lives no matter what type of hand they had been dealt.

          So  the good news is we can make our lives what we want?

Focus on our blessings, not misfortunes, “The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything, they  just make the most of everything that comes their way.”
Be grateful for what you have and accept if you cannot have what you want, be positive, make the most of every situation and turn it into something good. “If life gives you a lemon, make lemonade.”

When adversity comes your way face it with dignity and determination, remember when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Optimism is vital so always look on the bright side of life, and remember that bad times don’t last forever.
Most importantly, choose fun and smile it helps, as laughter really is the best medicine. “Live everyday like it’s your last, so smile as much as possible.”

          So no matter what you believe your life is – make the most of it. Every moment is a passing opportunity never to be offered again. CARPE DIEM – seize the day, and enjoy the simple joys. Don’t miss the beauty of the daisies at your feet because you are to busy chasing an impossible dream. Life wasn’t meant to be easy, but take heart it can be delightful! And that is good news!