The world’s smallest pacemaker and why there’s nothing to worry about
Gas prices continue to climb.
Foreclosures are at an all-time high, and the housing slump is only getting worse.
The stock market is posting major losses.
There’s uncertainty in the Middle East, and back home, political battles are just warming up.
Oh, and did I mention you’re twice as likely to die if you don’t get enough vitamin D?
In only the past four days, that’s about half of the negative, or at the very least concerning, news absorbed through the airwaves and in print. And although much of the worrisome news out there is largely tied to our poor economy, it seems lately we’re presented with little to smile about.
Then, a June 26 story from Fox News puts everything into perspective: “Baby who ‘died eight times’ looks forward to sweet 16.”
That’s right, a little less than 16 years ago, a baby from England was fitted with the world’s smallest pacemaker. And during the operation, the heart of Kirsty Sanderson, now 16, stopped.
Eight times.
Today, even though she’ll be on her fifth pacemaker at about age 26 and then every 10 years after that, Sanderson says she’s thankful everyday to have a “normal” life.
We can learn a lot from Sanderson.
Even in these tough economic times, when the odds seem stacked and our worries might be getting the best of us, we should be doing our best to see the bright side of any situation.
In its July issue, alive magazine had some great tips for curbing the worries on our minds:
· Instead of dwelling on what’s wrong, it might be a good idea to take a proactive stance. For example, if the War in Iraq has you down, join others in the quest to settle troubling issues.
· Like Kirsty Sanderson, learn to change your perception of the current situation. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, focus on the good in your life.
· Don’t dwell on the past. Instead, narrow in on what you still want to achieve, and don’t overlook the possibilities that are up ahead.