Can I Get a Little Love for Valerie Harper?

I practically live for inspiring moments—nuggets of motivation that propel me forward each day.  In fact, I just concluded my lunch hour, in which I wrapped up an episode of The Biggest Loser.  I save episodes such as this for moments requiring a pseudo Red Bull, providing a little extra “oomph” of momentum to carry me through the remainder of an exhausting day. Of course, I cried like a baby (which is typical) … but boy was I ready to jump back into my work when it was over.  After all, if those contestants can push themselves through grueling weeks of physical turmoil, I can certainly mark some items off my to-do list.

There isn’t a science to inspiration.  I think we all hope to inspire or be inspired in some way, but may not have a clear route toward the execution.  In an attempt to provide a little extra jolt of encouragement for you today, I’d like to share a short video of our treasured Valerie Harper (actress legendary for the Mary Tyler Moore Show, among other things).

Valerie, a recent contestant on Dancing with the Stars, shared thoughts on video of her brain cancer diagnosis and her decision to join this year’s DWTS cast:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQs71f9FYJc

Valerie asked herself upon receiving her prognosis (given an “expiration date” from doctors):  “’Why this?  Why me?’  And then I said, ‘Why not you?  You’re 73.  You’ve had a great life.  Look at the career you’ve had.  The husband you’ve had.  The daughter.  Stop complaining and let’s attack it.’”

I know there have been instances in my life where I’ve asked, “Why me?”  But what makes me so special that it can’t be me?  And if not me, then who?  None of us are perfect.  No one is above another simply because of who they are or what they have accomplished.  So why would anyone else deserve to be faced with a hurdle and not me?

It’s not a question of whether or not we will each be presented with a struggle or whether or not that struggle is deserved.  It’s His will that matters, not our own.  Battles are inevitable.  But it’s how we “attack it.”  It’s how we renew our minds.  It’s what we make of ourselves.

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do.

It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.”

~ Rikki Rogers

Valerie is a perfect example of life’s circumstances controlling our conditions, but not our attitude.  Not our faith.  Not our persistence.  So why let our situation determine the outcome?  How we live each day is still within our realm of control.

Cheers to Valerie!  And cheers to you, for having the courage and determination to continue to dance through life, pummeling your road-blocks, while striving toward a positive mind-set.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 12:2 (KJV)

HAPPY EARLY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!

Twitter:  @AliciaMSmith7