Healing

Healing

I am healing.  I am getting better almost every

day.  You see, I had three heart by-passes on December 18 and 12 1/2 weeks later I can’t believe how good I feel.  And most of that improvement has come about in the last 2 weeks. 

I am well-fed, with Carolyn’s help – meaning I have changed a lot of bad eating habits.  I count sugar grams, fat grams, sodium grams and try to say within my limits each day.  My blood sugar numbers are perfect (100 this morning), and my weight has dropped by 34 lbs. since October 17 when all this started.

I’m healing. 

My healing is contributed to lots of factors, over and above the food changes.  I exercise, under the cardio rehab program three days per week and then go to Harbor Square Health Club the other two days.  I’m reading a lot of stuff – four or five books since surgery.  I have consistently gotten up and out most days since three weeks after surgery.  Some days were slow moving and my up-times only lasted an hour or two, but that was enough. 

Carolyn and I have been able to spend some incredible quality times together.  We take little trips over to Bellevue, or Woodinville, or up to LA Connor, and Vancouver and Victoria, BC.  And our conversations have been soul-satisfying.

Now that warmer weather and sunshine has returned to Edmonds, I’ve been able to go and sit alongside Sunset in the middle of the day and watch the water traffic and the birds – especially the seagulls.

I occasionally listen to some inspiring music, and I am able to have lots of quiet time for meditation, contemplation, and going within.  And I’ve written a lot.

What heals you? 

What inspires you? 

What source do you turn to when you need healing?

My final source of healing … God.  Interestingly, I didn’t ask God to deliver me from surgery.  Nor have I asked for a speeded-up recovery process.  Oh, I’ve had my down days, days of dizziness, of instability, of discouragement, of weakness and fatigue.  And God has been with me through it all.

And He has performed His part of my healing with his gentle presence and peace, and by giving me patience in the middle of my recovery. 

I’ve had numerous people who have let me know they pray for me.  I think God likes those prayers too.

Bottom line … I am healing nicely. 

I am thankful for every kind thought, every prayer, every medical attendant, every morsel of food and every encouraging word that has come on my behalf.

You see … I really do believe words heal too!

P Michael Biggs

It's All About People Blog Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement

Inspiration

Why People Quit

We have quitters in every segment of society.

People quit …

Jobs

Relationships

Sports teams

Church

Social groups

Do you know why people quit?

The number one reason given is this:

They do not feel appreciated.

~How Full Is Your Bucket

Donald O. Clifton & Tom Rath

When I lived in Waco, Texas, I frequented a certain restaurant.  One morning at breakfast the manager came over, we chatted and he gave me a complimentary meal with these words, “I notice you come in here a lot and wanted you to know that we appreciate your support.”

Guess where I want to breakfast the next weekend? 

My friend Rico in Edmonds comes by our table every time we dine in his place and we have a pleasant exchange.  He appreciates our business.

And so do Brook and Randy at their restaurant.

We all love recognition and appreciation.

I especially love the appreciation from my wife when I help her.  At the moment she is recovering from rotator cuff surgery and is unable to do much for herself.  I am her hands, feet, cook, laundress, water fetcher and pill dispenser. 

Just the other day she was singing my praises (to me) of how much she appreciated my help. 

Guess what.  I did a bit more.  I went an extra step or three.

And so will your employees, your kids, your spouse and your customers. 

Want to keep them coming back?

Appreciate them!

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Thoughts on Thanksgiving Day

As you gather with family and friends, may the spirit of kindness and good memories flood your mind.

As you look at each other, reflect on a great memory of when and how that person has made you happy in days gone by.

As you gaze upon your kids and grandkids, picture their future and the positive qualities you desire for each one, and say a prayer for their growth toward maturity.

As you travel toward your destination, thank God for the privilege of knowing, loving and being loved by each person you will see.

At the end of the day, pause and thank God for the life you’ve been given, the people you are blessed to know, those who love you, and the memories of a lifetime that are a gift that keeps on giving.

Happy Thanksgiving

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

P.S.  I will resume posting on Friday, November 23.  Enjoy your special time with your friends, family and whatever Thanksgiving traditions you cherish.

I Saw Thanksgiving Today

November 2011

It’s the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  Carolyn and I made a trip to this great Whole Foods Store in the Roosevelt district of Seattle. 

There were throngs, gobs and myriads of people in there already at 9:45 A.M. 

Amazing. 

Yet, in the traffic jam of grocery carts and shoppers, I saw, rather sensed Thanksgiving.  People were hurrying and scurrying to find just the right ingredients for some yet-to-be-baked dish, all with the thought of giving to family, loved ones, friends, in the spirit of thankfulness. 

I saw it in the smiles rather than the curses of hundreds of shoppers jammed into narrow aisles and being forced to allow others to take their time and stand a bit too long in front of that item they themselves were searching for. 

I narrowly avoided three cart crashes, and each time was greeted with a smile, a “sorry” and a “Have a great Thanksgiving.”

Not one – not one discouraging word was uttered. 

Not one – not one frown crept across the faces of any of the shoppers today. 

Instead I saw smiles, grins as big as the sun, Thanksgiving greetings, happy kids, kind and gentle parents. 

That, my friend is Thanksgiving. 

I am thankful –

     Thankful for peace

          Thankful for love from above

               Thankful for love here on earth

          Thankful for good things that have come our way

                  this year in abundance

     Thankful for guidance through the trials this year

Happy Thanksgiving!

Michael and Carolyn Biggs

I AM THANKFUL

I am thankful for the unconditional love of my wife.
I am thankful for my step children.
I am thankful for eight grandchildren.
I am thankful for my brothers and sisters and extended family.
I am thankful for the health I enjoy.
I am thankful for the employment which my hands find to fill my days.
I am thankful for agencies that care for the needy.
I am thankful for volunteers who give unselfishly in volunteering their time to these agencies.
I am thankful for generous benefactors who give so that agencies can do their work.
I am thankful for an abundance of friends around this country.
I am thankful for food and clothing.
I am thankful for wisdom to make healthy choices.
I am thankful for eyes to see the beauty of our land.
I am thankful for ears to hear the words “I love you.”
I am thankful for a tongue to speak the words “I love you.”
I am thankful for the gift of music that sooths my soul.
I am thankful for the Love of God, The Supreme being in my life.
I am thankful for a church fellowship from which I gain strength and support.
I am thankful for a roof over my head.
I am thankful for daily needs that are being met.
I am thankful for mentors who have contributed to my life.
I am thankful for books that have taken me places I could not have otherwise visited.
I am thankful for computers, email and cell phones that keep us in touch instantly.
I am thankful for a government that still believes in individual rights of a human being.
I am thankful for the protection of our military on a national and international level.
I am thankful for local and state law enforcement agencies. You put it on the line daily for us.
I am thankful for teachers who have taught me skills.
I am thankful for the human touch that is soothing, comforting and reassuring.
I am thankful for sunshine and rain, snow and wind, mountains and valleys.
I am thankful for fishes and animals in a vast variety that staggers the imagination.
I am thankful for medical technology and those skillful in these arts.
I am thankful for medical professionals and researchers.
I am thankful for those in the service industries who give quality with a smile.
I am thankful for professional sales people who perform their jobs with style and grace.
I am thankful for public transportation professionals who safely transport us daily.
I am thankful for newscasters who intelligently and clearly give us good information.
I am thankful for honest statesmen and women who serve with dignity and a conscious.
I am thankful for more blessings than I can recall.
I am thankful for a chance to say, “Thank you. I give thanks, I appreciate, I adore, I esteem, I recognize, I honor, I love.”

Happy Thanksgiving One and All!