Measurably Happier

Yesterday's newspaper told about new research that "proves" you can increase your happiness quotient with a very simple habit. Every night, name three good things that happened during the day and tell why they occurred. A motivational speaker and executive coach who was part of the study said, "It seems too simple. I went to Harvard, and I'm used to life being complicated. But this method works." Well, of course it works. Especially if we correctly identify the Cause of all the good that comes to us. I hear a Doxology coming on.

Several very good things occurred yesterday, including our dear nurse's success at drawing blood for the CA 125. Now we trust God with the result, which should come today. Please pray with us that the oncologist will have wisdom about continuing treatment, whatever the blood test shows. I'll see him early Wednesday afternoon.

The moment has come to "birth" the next issue of the SIM magazine. Before I leave for kemo tomorrow, I need to pull together every word and photo in final form and upload it to the internet for the designer in Florida. On Friday, God willing, he will have it downloaded in time for our phone conference to kick off the design work. I'd be grateful for your prayers that God will control the whole process for His pleasure and glory.

A fellow mission journalist, an email friend, sent a poem yesterday that I want to live by:

As flowers carry dewdrops trembling on the edges of the petals,
and ready to fall at the first waft of the wind or brush of bird,
so the heart should carry its beaded words of thanksgiving.

At the first breath of heavenly flavor,
let down the shower, perfumed with the heart's gratitude.
--Henry Ward Beecher, 1813-1887

"Beaded words of thanksgiving carried on the heart!" Lovely thought. Happy medicine.

Love,
Carol