‘Promise me that you’ll always remember that you’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.’–Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh
My naysayers (and they are legion) rarely attack my writing (well, a few accuse me of trying to be a standup comedian). The thing they seem to take issue with is my belief that life is meant to be a glorious adventure, that happiness is a choice.
They say things like, “But what about war? What about kids born with disabilities?”
And I refuse to be swayed. Our head space is 100 percent up to us. I read a book over the weekend that, if we were in a courtroom, I would present as Exhibit A.
It’s called Laughing at My Nightmare. It’s by Shane Burcaw, a 21-year-old wiseass blogger who happens to have spinal muscular atrophy. He has been in a wheelchair since he was three. His parents or his younger brother have to pick him up and put him into bed at night. When he has to pee, they have to put his penis (did I just say the word penis in a blog post?) in what he calls “a pee jar.”
If anyone has a right to dispute my beliefs, it would be Shane. Yet, this amazing young man has more fun and a better attitude than many of us with fully functioning bodies. His mission, in fact, is to rid the world of negativity. He believes we get through adversity by laughing, by having fun.
He has a girlfriend (who he actually proposed to in the book), he graduated from Moravian College, he started a nonprofit to help others with muscular dystrophy (move over, Jerry Lewis) and Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute on The office) did a movie about his life. As Wilson says on the cover, “I would help change his underpants anytime.”
But most of all, Shane spends his time coming up with big adventures and crazy schemes. And proving to people that it is only our misguided thoughts that could ever make us unhappy.
P.S. Hay House asked me to mention that, if you’ve been waiting to buy E-Cubed, now is the time. It and its sister, E-Squared, are going for a measly $1.99 on the Amazon, Kindle store.
Pam Grout is the author of 17 books including E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality and the just-released sequel, E-Cubed, 9 More Experiments that Prove Mirth, Magic and Merriment is your Full-time Gig.
24 Responses
Thank you, Pam. You are awesome. Larry D
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Back at ya, Larry D. You are awesome, too.
Pam your newsletter is the only one I dont delete immediately. I, like many others, have piles of emails each day and have narrowed down my focus to those that make me feel good and yours always do. So thank you.
So glad to hear it, Sally!!!
Pam, love you emails and the books. I think you would also be very good at comedy.
Yes, but the one time in college I was on stage, I was gonged near-immediately.
Well i’m thinking things like ISIS and genocide in Africa but I’m wondering if collective negativity is responsible for some of this and if we all were only positve tragedy like this would go away.
In cases like this, I always try to keep my focus on what’s possible. And ending genocide and having ISIS realize love is a better way to accomplish goals is what I’m envisioning.
Thank you for making us laugh, think and become better people.
My naysayers (and they are legion) rarely attack my writing (well, a few accuse me of trying to be a standup comedian). The thing they seem to take issue with is my belief that life is meant to be a glorious adventure, that happiness is a choice. They say things like, “But what about war? What about kids born with disabilities?” And I refuse to be swayed. Our head space is 100 percent up to us. I read a book over the weekend that, if we were in a courtroom, I would present as Exhibit A. It’s called Laughing at My Nightmare. It’s by Shane Burcaw, a 21-year-old wiseass blogger who happens to have spinal muscular atrophy. He has been in a wheelchair since he was three. His parents or his younger brother have to pick him up and put him into bed at night. When he has to pee, they have to put his penis (did I just say the word penis in a blog post?) in what he calls “a pee jar.” If anyone has a right to dispute my beliefs, it would be Shane. Yet, this amazing young man has more fun and a better attitude than many of us with fully functioning bodies. His mission, in fact, is to rid the world of negativity. He believes we get through adversity by laughing, by having fun. He has a girlfriend (who he actually proposed to in the book), he graduated from Moravian College, he started a nonprofit to help others with muscular dystrophy (move over, Jerry Lewis) and Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute on The office) did a movie about his life. As Wilson says on the cover, “I would help change his underpants anytime.” But most of all, Shane spends his time coming up with big adventures and crazy schemes. And proving to people that it is only our misguided thoughts that could ever make us unhappy.
Ah, thanks!!! We’re already “better people.” I’m just hoping to remind everyone.
I could not get to the bookstore fast enough for E cubed. Silly Amazon
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Thanks!
I wonder how his parents and brother have coped. Supporting a disabled child forces parents to reconfigure their whole lives. Is life a big laugh for them too?
It seems to have bonded the family in a very special way. Giving love is always meaningful.
Pam, l’m using E-cubed to help me retain my sense of wonder, and humor, through cancer therapy.. It’s a reminder that each day contains a miracle, even if it does appear wrapped in tears. Thank you
Dear beautiful Carol,
Thanks for your message. I send you love and light in your journey. And so glad to hear you’re seeing the miracles. Blessings, my friend, Pam
When you do the thumb and pointer finger together and lock with other to answer questions. Is that the FP answering?
More a way of getting in touch with the energy flowing through your body and realizing that there’s lots of info we tend to overlook.
Thank you for sharing a great book! Always looking for the next great read. Keep looking for the blessings.
Thank you so much!!!
Reblogged this on Musings – a dollop of sunshine.
This reminds me of Mattie Stepanek who was on Oprah. He never saw his life as something unfortunate but wrote 5 best selling books and was a peace maker. He lived his whole life in a wheel chair and passed away at age 13 but his life had a ton of meaning and full of love. So like you said Pam happiness is a choice and the young man you mentioned in your blog shows and even Mattie Stepanek proved it as well. Thanks for reaffirming that.
Interesting to hear about your naysayers, but maybe people could use an occasional bit from historical records, Scripture, classical literature. There’s plenty of reference in addition to ACIM (a bit dense for many) that the material world is illusion, that many have proved it overcoming all kinds of things, like death and war, etc. because reality is 100% spiritual and perfect. But, can’t be seen with just five senses.
Quite honestly, had I not been grounded in so-called New Age literature, Divine Science, Joel Goldsmith, etc. I would have questions about your premises. Just saying….