After a month without blogging, it is difficult to start again. I have no predetermined theme and I wonder what I could write that has meaning and significance. What is important to you? What kind of stories do you like? I asked myself those questions. I’ve often puzzled over stories I read of a person overcoming grave difficulties and rising above them to love and appreciate life; you know, those feel good, human interest stories. What, within the person, makes the difference? How is it that some are knocked down and come up kicking and fighting; some are bowled over and lie there, giving up; some are turned to bitter, vindictive people wanting to strike back; some are like those dolls weighted on the bottom to spring back up, smiling and forgiving.

Wow!

I know it sounds clichéd, but I really like the idea of, “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” In my case, I believe my mother’s good example of a positive outlook on life was transmitted to me. But what about the kids thrown away by their parents, handed from foster home to foster home? Many others are given extreme physical or mental challenges at birth. How do they overcome? Where does that spark come from that makes one say, “Yes!” to life? I want a little bit of it next time I face an insignificant inconvenience and am tempted to wade into those deep waters of self-pity. I want to make the choice to accept and embrace life whatever the day brings.