Good times.

"Clap your hands, stomp your feet, good times, good times!"

This was the song and dance a sweet little 8 year old boy was doing when he walked in the door to get speech therapy today. His mom had to quiet him several times as his voice and movements escalated in the waiting room. "Clap your hands, stomp your feet, good times, good times!"

He is not my patient, so I don't know much about his condition or what he is being seen for. But I do know that I witnessed a child full of joy in the waiting room today. A child with a "disability." And it made me think. Maybe "disability" isn't the word we should use. If my attitude in life was to walk around clapping my hands, stopping my feet, grinning from ear to ear and singing, I certainly wouldn't call it a disability.

Don't get me wrong. I am sure he has and will continue to face his share of challenges in this life. Probably more than I could ever imagine. But if there is one thing I have discovered, it's all about your perspective. And if he can get up, facing his day, singing "Clap your hands, stomp your feet, good times, good times!" in spite of his "disability," I'd like to have a little more of his perspective on life.

So keep clapping, and keep stomping, and keep grinning, and keep singing, sweet boy, and keep teaching me lessons best taught by an 8 year old that this world so easily labels.

On fear.

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." -FDR

"The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?" -Psalm 27:1

"If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -Seneca

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand." -Isaiah 41:10

"When we fear things I think that we wish for them...every fear hides a wish." -David Mamet

"Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering." -Yoda

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4: 18

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship." -Romans 8:15