ATTITUDE COUNTS!

I wrote a few weeks ago about attitude and effort and holding people, and ourselves, accountable for those things that are within their?control.? Measure yourself on things you are responsible for: ATTITUDE AND EFFORT! Although those things are within our control, it still doesn't make them easy. Saying "keep a positive attitude" is easier said than done. I know this all too well.

The last three or four years I have been dealing with some health issues. I assumed they were all orthopedic based on my medical history. But as I checked with different doctors, they failed to determine a specific diagnosis. I kept struggling. Last summer my doctor sent me to a neurologist who ordered an MRI on my brain. The good news was there were no apparent abnormalities. The bad news was we were still not sure what was up. Some more doctor visits and tests finally had the doctors land on a diagnosis. Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's Foundation I have known people with PD. They shook. They shuffled. They mumbled. I've got that? Well, that sucks. I asked the obvious questions. Any known cures? Nope. Any way to know how fast it progresses? Nope. Could go slowly or quickly. Medications? Some which can treat symptoms with varying success. Possible Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery. I asked, what is the best thing I can do to battle this disease and slow progression. My doctor said stay active, keep moving, and the best you can, keep a positive attitude.

A positive attitude? Yeah, right doc. Thanks. I try not to curse but I was tempted to say %$* you. Yet, as I left the office, I knew she was right. I knew in the depths of my soul, that the power of positive thinking is the path to choose. Working hard at keeping a good and grateful attitude will serve me well. But how do you keep a positive attitude with a crappy diagnosis of a disease with no cure? For me, I must actively work at it. Some things I do:

1. Each morning I thank God for the gift of another day. I don't worry about how many more I have or how I will feel tomorrow. I remain in the present and am thankful. I consider each day a gift. Unwrap the gift each morning and be thankful!
2. Right alongside thankfulness, I choose joy! (Right, Tammy Bey ?) I have a wonderful wife, a beautiful family, fantastic friends, food to eat, and a roof over my head. I'm not talking about a half full or half empty glass, I'm talking about a cup that overflows with goodness and blessings. What joy fills my heart.
3. I also try to serve others who need help. I don't measure if they have it worse than me or not, it doesn't matter. It just helps me knowing I am not alone in the struggle. We all share in suffering at times.
4. I spend time in community. Whether it's family, friends, church groups or work companions, I am with people. Many of us hunker down and hide when in pain. When struggling, avoid the pitfall of isolation. It can crush your attitude and spirit. Thanks for being part of my team Michael Hoffman Dan Daly, CIPP/US Jason Smith Jason Listak, P.E. Brett Hammon

1. Finally, for me, it's important to extend grace to myself. There are days my attitude sucks and I have the desire to wallow in self-pity. I fight those tendencies hard. But if I succumb, I don't exacerbate the problem by feeling guilty and go from self-pity to self-loathing. I give myself grace to have a bad moment or day(s).

As I said last week, control the controllables. I never said that was easy. It's hard work. I know I can't control the progression or end game of my Parkinson's. But I'm working my tail off on keeping a healthy attitude as I fight the battle. What battle are you fighting? A good attitude might not solve it, but it sure is a great way to endure it.