Positive Thinking

Recently in my reading, there have been several references to the power of positive thinking. The consensus is that this is a very real and powerful tool. If you believe it will happen, it (whatever "it" is) will. Just thinking and expecting something to happen, or to come to you, will make it happen, or will bring it to you.

I have to believe that this does work. Worrying gets you nowhere -- it can't change anything. However, to expect something to happen -- something good -- is the first step in making that good thing really happen. The mind seeks out ways to help it to happen. Then the body will folow the mind's thoughts and energies. Before you know it, you are making the good thing happen. And it all starts with thinking good thoughts -- thinking about what you want.

An example: You hate your job. Instead of just thinking how much you hate it, you start to think how you can change it. You really are the only person who can change your life. You daydream about your ideal job; could be an attorney, or a medical technician, or some other profession that seems totally out of reach. Whatever this ideal job is, ask yourself how you can get there. If you want to be an attorney, you can start at the local community college and just keep moving forward. If your first reaction is, "but I'll be 45 years old (or 50 or ?) by the time I'm done with school," remember you're going to be 45 or 50 anyway -- why not have something to show for it?

It can be done; it has been done. It all starts with thinking you can. That's the power of positive thinking. On that note, I know that sooner or later I will sell my writing.

Ready for New Renters -- Scary

What a frustrating and seemingly endless job it is to get a house ready to rent, not to mention expensive. I still can't believe all the work that had to be done after the last renters left so we could rent it out again. The outside had to be neatened up and a walkway put in. New grass had to be planted. We never did get to work on the landscaping, which desperately needs weeding and pruning. It has been rainy and cold for the last several weeks, so the work has moved to the inside of the house.

The biggest job was putting in a new boiler and a ventilation system. I am continually amazed at what Den can do when he puts his mind to it. He did all the work on these two improvements, with help from son and grandson; and the house is now warm and cozy. I am sure it will be cool in the summer, with the ventilation system picking up the lake breezes. Then we needed to scrub and paint walls, clean cupboards and closets, repair door knobs and screens, wash windows and ceiling fans and make lists of missing door stops and light pulls.

Our son and daughter-in-law came over yesterday and painted and cleaned. I was amazed at how fast they worked and how slow I moved in comparison. Our grandson and his girlfriend painted one of the bedrooms and did a beautiful job. How fortunate we are to have such a wonderful family. Every night when we quit working, I think that we will make the November 1st deadline for the new tenants. Then, when I go over to the house the next day, I panic, and think that there is still so much to do before it will be livable.

We have a family ready to move in. They seem to be reliable and friendly, but, of course, we really won't know until they have lived in the house for a while. They also will not know how they will like living right next door to us until they have experienced it for a few months. That is the scary part -- we just don't know.