Take Inventory of Your Assets

February 25, 2011

"Let's see: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 . . . ."

Last month I was reading a book about Christopher Reeves (Superman) and the accident that left him a quadriplegic.

And something he/Reeves says in the book just hit me "like a ton of bricks."

I've been thinking about it so much lately.

In the book, the author asks Reeves (and I'm paraphrasing), "How do you stay positive in the face of this tragic accident?"

And Reeves' reply is so profound. He said (and I'm paraphrasing):

"I take inventory of my assets. If I look at what I have lost, or don't have, then I am definitely depressed. But when I realize all that I do have, I am hopeful and grateful."

(In his inventory of assets, Reeves said he was thankful for a fully-functioning brain. He said many people with injuries of his extent also have damage to their mental faculties.)

Is that The Lesson of a Lifetime or what?

I don't know about you, but when I am lazy--and not my best self--I really do get down over the things I have lost--or don't have. (Have you met the Three Brothers Regret: Should Have, Could Have, and Would Have?)

For now, those "things" haven't been as extreme/intense as Christopher Reeves' loss.

And yet, they feel so real. So big.

Until . . .

I take inventory of my assets.

And then I'm grateful and happy and hopeful. Just like Superman.

So, today, I'm encouraging YOU and myself to take inventory of our assets!

Because there's always good in our midst.

Didja hear me?

There is always good in our midst.

Blessings.

Joy.

Reasons to smile.