Photo © Judy Fridono, used with permission.
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"Turning Disappointment into a Joyful New Direction"
By Chris Dunmire
Judy Fridono sent me an e-mail with the subject "Turning Disappointment into a Joyful New Direction" with permission to share along with a link to this feel-good YouTube video (From Service Dog to SURFice Dog) about Surf dog Ricochet, a heart-warming story "about her journey from service dog training, to turning disappointment into a joyful new direction, to surfing with quadriplegic surfer, Patrick Ivison, to fundraising for charitable causes." The video is accompanied by the equally heart-warming song, Do I Make You Proud, by Taylor Hicks (ironically cool that he got his start on American Idol).
Judy says, "In these difficult times, many people focus on the negatives in life...such as what they don't have, what they can't accomplish, or what they can't do. But, I have a personal story which focuses on the positives, and the CAN DO's when all seems lost...turning disappointment into a joyful new direction!"
I can't agree more, and CAN DO notes like this one are always like little rays of sunshine, of light, that illuminate our sometimes overshadowed pathways of meaning and purpose in this world. One thing is certain: we can always choose what we focus on and where we invest our energy — we'll add to the ripple-effect in life's pond either way.
Of course, the creativity/possibilities angle is always at the forefront of my mind when I take in these snippets, and so compelling and true in this story are the rewards of allowing Ricochet to blossom within her own nature, a wisdom her caretaker exercised for a higher good, to a larger benefit for all.
The "allowing one to blossom within their own nature" easily transfers into paying close attention to what's going on in our own creative lives (see: Understanding Your Personal Creative Nature), and honoring our own natural abilities and callings. Parents, teachers, creativity coaches, and others in the privileged position of nurturing creative gifts and talents in children and other individuals are wise in this fostering.
While Judy summarizes the life messages in this story, I've plugged in the appropriate [creative] tags tandemly applicable and appropriate to your creative existence:
- "Focus on what CAN be done [creatively], rather than what can't, and amazing things can happen.
- Accept people/beings for who they are [creatively], rather than trying to change them.
- Rejoice in finding the best [creative] qualities in a person/being.
- Let go of trying to control [your creative] life... accept if for what it is, and through that you'll find true purpose."
For more information about Surf Dog Ricochet, please visit www.surfdogricochet.com or follow her on Twitter or Facebook. •
© 2009, 2010 Chris Dunmire www.chrisdunmire.com. All rights reserved. |
