March 10, 2010
Dear Friends,
For the love of God and my Sisters I take care to appear happy and especially to be so. Saint Therese of Lisieux
I encountered this quote a while back. At first I just dismissed it because it seemed to advocate faking happiness. Then I used my talent for sarcasm and figured it was the sort of thing a saint might accomplish but not a normal person like, well, me. (I sometimes flatter myself with illusions of normalcy.)
Then I saw the same quote in a different context. I confess to being a member of the slow-learner group, but when I wander into the same idea a number of times I’ve learned that perhaps someone’s trying to tell me to pay attention.
What, I asked myself, would be the point of appearing happy? Isn’t that just acting, pretending, even denial? Aren’t we always telling ourselves to be real and honest?
As I considered this, I saw something a bit deeper. Perhaps there’s an element of service in intentionally adopting an attitude of happiness. Maybe it’s not denial if I’m aware of my feelings and, despite internal turmoil, I choose to project joy toward others.
The part that really stumped me, though, was the last phrase: “… and especially to be so.” How can I really be happy if I’m really not happy?
I read a little about this woman. She was a Carmelite nun who died from tuberculosis at age 24, and apparently endured the disease with an attitude of service and compassion for those around her. Even as she died, her primary concern focused on others.
And then it made sense.
She wasn’t faking. She was truly, authentically happy because she retained control of her own attitude. She wanted to serve and empower others, and doing that made her happy. Even in decidedly difficult circumstances, she chose her own attitude.
It’s a lesson I learn and forget and learn again (see slow-learner comment above). I cannot always control my circumstances, but I can always choose my response. I can choose to be authentically at peace, even when people and situations are anything but peaceful.
I don’t do this well, at least not consistently. I guess old habits die hard. Life is frequently unkind and unfair.
We don’t have to be victims.
When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves. Viktor Frankl
A couple of new items
First, I’ve just released a new free e-book titled IF GOD LOVES ME SO MUCH, WHY …? You can either click the link or the image at the right if you’d like to read some of my thoughts about God’s role in times of adversity. If you know someone who’s struggling through a difficult season, this might be a good resource to pass along.
Please visit my resources page for other free e-books.
I’m also excited to announce my new workshop based on the story of Relentless Grace. BOUNCING BACK: I’ve Fallen … And I CAN Get Up is an interactive, scripture-based workshop that guides participants through the process of confronting and overcoming adversity.
This kind of experience has been a dream since the book was published. I’ve spent a great deal of time during the past three months putting some substance on the dream, and I think it’s ready. It’s designed for a weekend retreat or a one-two day conference, and is appropriate for mixed, men’s, or women’s audiences.
If you’re aware of a group that might be interested in this workshop, I’d really appreciate it if you’d pass along the information to the appropriate leader. Please download a brochure for additional details.
Thanks in advance for your help in spreading the word to pastors and event planners. As I said, it’s been a dream to share Relentless Grace with people in this sort of environment. Now I’m anxious to begin the next phase.
If you’re missing the regular updates from Bouncing Back you can scroll to the handy form just below and get them deliered to yor email inbox.
A FUN ANNOUNCEMENT
Thanks for all of the nice comments about the Relentless Grace audio book. Yes, Jim Thurston is a real person, and he does indeed have an incredible voise.
The video below offers a sample of the audio narration of one chapter called Back To School.
If you have trouble viewing the video, click here.
If you’re interested in the audio book (approximately 5 hours 20 minutes on five CDs) click here for additional details.
Bouncing Back
Bouncing Back is a primary connection tool. Thanks for taking time to visit and respond.
If you’re a new reader, please consider signing up for email updates.
If you’ve missed articles over the past few weeks, you can catch up with anything that grabs your interest. I’ve marked some that contain some fun videos.
My Goodness!
Execution
A Reflection Of God (fun video)
It’s All Good
Good …
An Abundance Of Eyes
Struggle
What’s Up With That? (fun video)
Oncoming Traffic …
Five Things That Get In The Way
The Tyranny Of Nice
Dream
Great Work (fun video)
You Learn Something New Every Day
What Are You After?
Five Toxic Thoughts
Leader
Thanks for continuing to visit the site and recommend it to others. For more simple ways to help with building the buzz, this page has some suggestions.
Calendar and News
This has been a time of rest, reflection, and catching up. Now it’s time to get some events on the schedule, so please contact me if there’s any way I can help.
April 2: Monte and I will speak at Good Samaritan
April 20: We’ll speak to the Men’s Group at Christ United Methodist Church
June 24: I’ll speak to the inmates a Larimer County Detention Center
If you know someone who is looking for a motivational speaker, please contact me or forward this information to an appropriate contact.
If you are engaged in raising funds for a group or individual, send me an email and let’s discuss a speaking engagement/book signing to support your efforts.
I continue to seek speaking opportunities. I’d appreciate the opportunity to visit your community and speak to your group. Please visit this page for more information about my speaking experiences and possible topics.
Loving is not just looking at each other, it’s looking in the same direction. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Blessings,
- Please visit my web site: http://www.richdixon.net
- I’d love to hear from you. Send me a note at: rich@richdixon.net
- If you haven’t seen it yet, please click this link to view a short video trailer for Relentless Grace.
- Listen to my interview on KRFC
- To update your contact information: rich@richdixon.net
- I promise I won’t distribute your information to anyone for any reason.
