Aging with Grace

In the province of the mind, what one believes to be true either is true or becomes true.

John Lilly

One person will look at this photo and focus on the bent post in the wrought iron gate, while another will focus on the beautiful colors of the tree. Is it a beautiful photo or is it marred by the bent post? As with life, it will be whatever we believe it to be. 

I realize that not everyone agrees our thoughts shape our lives. In fact, my son refers to it as my, “Hippy, dippy, philosophy”. It could be argued that I’ve read too many books, sat through too many lectures and attended too many seminars relating to positive thought and, along the way, I bought into it. Maybe, partially true. The flip side is that I have experienced in my own life and seen in the life of others the difference a positive attitude can bring about. As in the book, The Little Engine That Could, I believe we get a lot further with, “I think I can, I think I can” then, “I think I can’t”. 

A dear friend gave me a silver bracelet with my favorite quote, “All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well”, by Julian of Norwich. She was fifteenth century English theologian and thought to be the first published woman author. Every once in a while, I have to remind myself how negative my thoughts are and work to re-position them to a more positive outlook.  I’ve seen over and over, in my own life, how what I believe to be true becomes true.