"A bad attitude is like a flat tire. If you don't change it, you'll never go anywhere."
(the up side, Guideposts Magazine, March 2010, p.17, submitted by Buz Moxon)
Happiness amid Adversity - A message from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
“When I was young I loved playing sports, and I have many fond memories of those days. But not all of them are pleasant. I remember one day after my football team lost a tough game, I came home feeling discouraged. My mother was there. She listened to my sad story. She taught her children to trust in themselves and each other, not blame others for their misfortunes, and give their best effort in everything they attempted.
“When we fell down, she expected us to pick ourselves up and get going again. So the advice my mother gave to me then wasn’t altogether unexpected. It has stayed with me all my life.
“‘Joseph,’ she said, ‘come what may, and love it.’
“I have often reflected on that counsel.
“I think she may have meant that every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don’t sing and bells don’t ring. Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result. …
“How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can’t—at least not in the moment. I don’t think my mother was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny the reality of pain. I don’t think she was suggesting that we smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.
“If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.”
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1917–2008), “Come What May, and Love It,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 26.
“When I was young I loved playing sports, and I have many fond memories of those days. But not all of them are pleasant. I remember one day after my football team lost a tough game, I came home feeling discouraged. My mother was there. She listened to my sad story. She taught her children to trust in themselves and each other, not blame others for their misfortunes, and give their best effort in everything they attempted.
“When we fell down, she expected us to pick ourselves up and get going again. So the advice my mother gave to me then wasn’t altogether unexpected. It has stayed with me all my life.
“‘Joseph,’ she said, ‘come what may, and love it.’
“I have often reflected on that counsel.
“I think she may have meant that every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don’t sing and bells don’t ring. Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result. …
“How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can’t—at least not in the moment. I don’t think my mother was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny the reality of pain. I don’t think she was suggesting that we smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.
“If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.”
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1917–2008), “Come What May, and Love It,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 26.
Causing me a "flat tire" attitude: Psoriatic Arthritis!
A good Rheumatologist makes the 'tire changing' more bearable!
Thanks Dr. Steven E. Call, M/D., PLLC.
Next line of defense: Methotrexate (NSAIDs, joint injection, and 9 months of prednisone use have not been sufficient help.)
Info. on psoriatic arthritis from the National Psoriasis Foundation:
What is psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis [pronounced sore-ee-AA-tic] causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints and places where tendons and ligaments connect to bone. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can potentially be disabling.
What causes psoriatic arthritis?
Both genetic and environmental factors seem to be associated with the development of psoriatic arthritis. The immune system plays an important role. Psoriatic arthritis is linked to psoriasis on the skin; in 85 percent of individuals, skin disease preceded joint disease.
What are the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?
Tender swollen joints
Swollen and tender entheses (where a muscle or ligament attaches to a bone)
Back pain
Nail changes—for example, a nail that separates from the nail bed and/or becomes pitted and mimics fungal infections
Morning stiffness and tiredness
Generalized fatigue
A reduced range of motion
Redness and pain of the tissues surrounding the eyes, such as conjunctivitis
How is psoriatic arthritis diagnosed?
There is no specific test for psoriatic arthritis. The diagnosis is based mostly on symptoms, examination, X-rays and the elimination of other types of arthritis. If you have psoriasis and experience persistent joint pain, you may have psoriatic arthritis and you should see a rheumatologist. These doctors specialize in arthritis and can provide further evaluation and/or a diagnosis.
Is all psoriatic arthritis the same?
No. There are considered to be five different forms of psoriatic arthritis:
Symmetric: Affects multiple symmetric pairs of joints (occurs in the same joints on both sides of the body).
Oligoarticular: Affects few joints in an asymmetric pattern and is usually milder.
Distal interphalangeal (DIP): Affects primarily the distal joints of the fingers and toes (the joints closest to the nail).
Spondylitis: Predominantly affects the spinal column from the neck to the lower back.
Arthritis mutilans: Affects the small joints of the hands and feet, although it can appear in other joints. This rare form of arthritis is severe and destructive.
What treatments are available for psoriatic arthritis?
Drugs for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis are divided into three main categories:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen as well as prescription products.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may relieve more severe symptoms and attempt to slow or stop joint/tissue damage and the progression of psoriatic arthritis.
Biologics such as adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab are also considered DMARDs. They are highly selective agents that target specific parts of the immune system that cause psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis [pronounced sore-ee-AA-tic] causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints and places where tendons and ligaments connect to bone. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can potentially be disabling.
What causes psoriatic arthritis?
Both genetic and environmental factors seem to be associated with the development of psoriatic arthritis. The immune system plays an important role. Psoriatic arthritis is linked to psoriasis on the skin; in 85 percent of individuals, skin disease preceded joint disease.
What are the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?
Tender swollen joints
Swollen and tender entheses (where a muscle or ligament attaches to a bone)
Back pain
Nail changes—for example, a nail that separates from the nail bed and/or becomes pitted and mimics fungal infections
Morning stiffness and tiredness
Generalized fatigue
A reduced range of motion
Redness and pain of the tissues surrounding the eyes, such as conjunctivitis
How is psoriatic arthritis diagnosed?
There is no specific test for psoriatic arthritis. The diagnosis is based mostly on symptoms, examination, X-rays and the elimination of other types of arthritis. If you have psoriasis and experience persistent joint pain, you may have psoriatic arthritis and you should see a rheumatologist. These doctors specialize in arthritis and can provide further evaluation and/or a diagnosis.
Is all psoriatic arthritis the same?
No. There are considered to be five different forms of psoriatic arthritis:
Symmetric: Affects multiple symmetric pairs of joints (occurs in the same joints on both sides of the body).
Oligoarticular: Affects few joints in an asymmetric pattern and is usually milder.
Distal interphalangeal (DIP): Affects primarily the distal joints of the fingers and toes (the joints closest to the nail).
Spondylitis: Predominantly affects the spinal column from the neck to the lower back.
Arthritis mutilans: Affects the small joints of the hands and feet, although it can appear in other joints. This rare form of arthritis is severe and destructive.
What treatments are available for psoriatic arthritis?
Drugs for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis are divided into three main categories:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen as well as prescription products.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may relieve more severe symptoms and attempt to slow or stop joint/tissue damage and the progression of psoriatic arthritis.
Biologics such as adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab are also considered DMARDs. They are highly selective agents that target specific parts of the immune system that cause psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
I am trying to change my flat tire!
You are incredible Mom! Thanks for sharing that message and the info too. I am so sorry for your pain and hurt. I love you. Keep hanging in there!
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