By Linda L. Dowd RN

Whenever my health issues begin to overwhelm me, I sing the lyrics from the movie “Annie” ~ “The sun will come out tomorrow…”  I have always been of the mindset that even behind the darkest clouds the sun is shining.

I am a believer in the validity of many sayings ~ “The darkest before the dawn”; “Nothing ventured ~ Nothing gained”; “What doesn’t break us ~ Makes us stronger”, and my personal favorite is: “And this too shall pass.” These adages are often trite but ever so true.

I have faced my trials with a brave heart and with a dance in my step ~ even with the loss of my two legs! Uncontrolled diabetes ravages the body on many fronts.

I was a vibrant, athletic young woman when I was diagnosed with the “D” word. It has been a struggle for me for over 40 years. I eventually had a quadruple coronary by-pass at the age of 53 years,  numerous eye surgeries, a foot amputation, and 2 subsequent leg amputations,  but the most difficult for me to endure is total kidney failure and the necessity for a lifetime of dialysis ~ another “D” word. It is both time-consuming as well as exhausting ~ to say the least;  however, it keeps me alive to enjoy my family and friends, nature, my favorite pastimes, and all the simple pleasures that life has to offer.

As we travel our life’s journey, we are often faced with many obstacles and challenges along the way. It is how we deal with them that determines our measure of success and happiness. I have, on occasion,  found it very difficult to deal with my own personal challenges. Whenever I have allowed myself to temporarily sink into despair, I immediately think of those who are far less fortunate than I. Gratitude floods my being and I have renewed energy flowing throughout my body. I have often been told that my radiant smile and my positive attitude are sources of inspiration for others. As the old adage implies, “A smile begets a smile.”

Positivity attracts positivity. I have found that the converse of that adage is also true. ~ “Negativity attracts negativity”.  Have you ever noticed that when you are experiencing the doldrums, the mood of those around us sinks as well? It also holds true that when you smile ~ “the whole world smiles with you” ~ so to speak!

Yes, “life’s a bowl of cherries” but it can also be full of pits and very hard to chew. Spit out the pits and savour the flavour of those sweet cherries!

Copyright May 2016
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Linda L. Dowd is a graduate of the Mack School of Nursing. She is a registered nurse (retired) who has also studied many forms of alternative healing with numerous certifications including Reflexology, Reiki, Therapeutic Touch to name a few. She has a variety of nursing experiences in hospitals, public health, nursing agencies and eventually opened her own nursing/alternate health business: “Healing Arts” which was registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).

Linda is also a prolific poet and the author of Musings of an Earth Angel.