Daily Gratitude: I think that if Helen Keller could remember and live by this, each of us should be able to.

Yes it takes effort- concentrated effort – but it’s so worthwhile. We are living in a time when we seem to have to continually overcome something.

But it can be simple too. I went to IHOP this morning and when asked how she was, the woman who greeted me said “I’m alive and I have a job. I’m great”.

It’s going to be dangerously cold for much of the US this weekend. Are you going to be in a place that can keep you warm even if the power goes out? Think about those that are unhoused or otherwise destitute. Think of them before you start to complain if the power goes out or you can’t go somewhere because of snow or ice.

They are suffering. You’re probably not.

People will help them (I hope) overcome their suffering. What will you be doing?

Hopefully you’ll stay safe and can at least be grateful there are those overcoming adversity. What can you do to help for the future?

Take some time to think about your suffering and how much you’ve exacerbated it with the “what if” syndrome. I’m really good at that game. But I continually try to stay in the present and not catastrophize. Isn’t it interesting that when we play the what if game, we never look at the “what if it gets better and is nothing”?

We can overcome much more than we think. And you know what? We already have. Take a look back at your life and find those times you’ve “overcome”. It will help you know that you can do it again.

Daily Gratitude: Doesn’t this make sense? How will you know what you can or can’t do if you don’t attempt “it” (whatever it is you’re contemplating)?

It was bad enough I wanted to quit at about mile 191 at vol state in 2025. But what was worse was that I was still convinced at about mile 305-307 (i didn’t even know where I was) I wasn’t going to make it. Fortunately I was giving it my all at that point but what would have happened had I stopped there? I wouldn’t have known that I had the ability to push hard enough to finish on time.

Same at the Across the Years race I just came back from although nowhere near as dramatic.

I thought I was done at 160 miles because I didn’t think I had enough time to do another 1.4 miles.

Thanks to Mike Melton for pushing me and having faith that I could do one more lap in the 40 minutes that were left.

He pushed me to find out how far I could go. If not for him, I wouldn’t have known.

It took me 30 years to try to walk across the US. I didn’t make it but I tried and learned more about myself than I ever had in the previous 70 years.

What are you holding back on?

Daily Gratitude: I can tell you that this is absolutely true. It began when I developed epilepsy at age 21. There went all my desires to become a neurosurgeon. Whoosh. Down the drain.

But at least I could still be a doctor. My life ended up perfect! And it still is perfect.

I didn’t let go willingly. That would have been too easy. But I had no choice in the matter. This often happens. And too many times we fight and resist. But you know what? The universe will win every single time. So it’s much better if you can just let go and ask your higher power what it is you’re supposed to do. It will show you.

Instead of the answer (what’s supposed to happen?) being considered an intruder at your door, invite the unknown in and ask it to stay awhile. Tell it to have a seat and ask it to share its wisdom with you. Then grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair. Sit back and listen to its guidance.

It will be the best thing you ever do!