Okay folks, it’s unanimous! Every one is ready for November 4, 2021, and the end of all those election emails, phone calls, and other materials.
As I have shared in the past, I was very fortunate to grow up in a home with parents who encouraged me to have a positive attitude, and to the extent possible, look on the bright side of things. That is why on a personal note, these weekly Words of Encouragement have been a bit therapeutic. They serve to remind me that there are good things happening in the world.
Little did I know that the “bright side” lessons my parents taught me as a child would prove to be so invaluable in navigating 2020!
One of my favorite emails that I have been receiving for years is from MrPositive.com. David Boufford, aka Mr. Positive, sends out a daily email with inspirational quotes and then each week has an uplifting story or video that accentuate the positive things going on in the world--regardless of what you may see on TV or read in the newspapers.
For example, last week he shared a letter from Nancy Stewart, who at age 107, is Ireland’s oldest citizen. The letter was titled: “To Anyone Who Needs A Reason To Keep Going.”
Perhaps the reason the letter resonated with me was because it reminded me of my mom, who was born in 1917 and for 95 years exemplified many of the same beliefs as Nancy.
I know that many of you are extremely busy, but do yourself a huge favor (go ahead, you deserve it!) and read her letter.
Born in 1913, she noted that this COVID world is “unusual even for me.” Blessed with 84 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, she has also experienced “many heart-breaking moments and have seen many hard times in our country witnessing world wars, division in our people and numerous sad times for our nation.”
And after acknowledging that, “We are in a very difficult time at the moment in our country, in our lives and in our world” she penned this letter to “offer you hope, faith and belief that everything will be ok in the end.”
“We are in another stage of this battle against the virus but we will get through this. Like everything I’ve been through since the day I was born in 1913, no matter how bad things have got, I’m the living proof that we can survive and in years to come, this will just be a distant memory. I have a great faith and it has helped me keep positive throughout the struggles I’ve met.”
So, what keeps this beautiful, 107-year-old woman going?
She states that, “I am making new friends every day that God gives me on this earth. If you are feeling low make sure to call someone or even go for a walk. I also asked God to help me if I’m feeling low. Wear your mask and keep talking to each other.”
She then closed by offering some other very practical advice: “I hope I have, even if in a little way, helped you feel less alone in this moment. There is always hope and once we keep talking to one another no day will seem empty and we can get through this together. It only takes a small candle to take away the dark and in each of us, we can be that light in the world. This hard time will indeed pass like all the rest and all that matters is that we helped each other through. We are not here to live for ourselves but to live for each other.”
When I read those closing words, I was reminded of a verse from Matthew: “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others.” Perhaps that is the “secret” that people like Nancy, my mom, and others who have lived long, satisfying lives are sharing with us: Let’s be lights that offer hope and love to others!
I hope you can take a couple of minutes to read the whole letter and be encouraged with her closing words:
“Many Blessings and much love...”
