The Difference Between Us
What we allow in our minds can influence our lives31 total reviews
Comment from Mrs. KT
Hello, Tom!
First of all, I wish I had six stars to affix on your exceptionally well-crafted offering!
Secondly, I love Robert Fulghum's work.
I have to admit, that throughout my life I have always been optimistic about life. Even today, I consider myself an "optimistic realist." Used to bother my students something fierce as many were pessimistic teenagers!
"Most things can be fixed" is packed with a great deal of wisdom. I will remember those words for a lifetime.
Thank you for sharing!
diane
reply by the author on 24-Apr-2022
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Hello, Tom!
First of all, I wish I had six stars to affix on your exceptionally well-crafted offering!
Secondly, I love Robert Fulghum's work.
I have to admit, that throughout my life I have always been optimistic about life. Even today, I consider myself an "optimistic realist." Used to bother my students something fierce as many were pessimistic teenagers!
"Most things can be fixed" is packed with a great deal of wisdom. I will remember those words for a lifetime.
Thank you for sharing!
diane
Comment Written 24-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 24-Apr-2022
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Hello Diane,
It's always wonderful to hear from you. I gather that you are quite the optimist. I guess my mind never left the teen years. I'm actually better than I used to be by a lot. It would be hard to take a dark look at life constantly when I've enjoyed so many of God's blessings, including, of course, you and all the other wonderful friends I've made on Fan Story.
Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
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Hah! Tom!
When I was a little girl, my nickname was "Smiley!"
And throughout the challenges my son is experiencing, I shared with him to look for one positive thing/element/occurrence that marks each day.
He told me this afternoon that that advice has helped... Whew! :)
Here's to a positive week ahead for both of us!
diane
Comment from RPSaxena
Hello T B BOTTS,
You have beautifully depicted the importance of positive attitude in life through Robert Fulghum.
Impressive phraseology; Captivating flow throughout from the beginning to the end.
Entertaining and Educative!
Interesting Indeed!!
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2022
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Hello T B BOTTS,
You have beautifully depicted the importance of positive attitude in life through Robert Fulghum.
Impressive phraseology; Captivating flow throughout from the beginning to the end.
Entertaining and Educative!
Interesting Indeed!!
Comment Written 23-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2022
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Thank you so much for the kind review RP. I was at the library this afternoon and picked up a copy of Fulghum's book, Uh-Oh to read again. He has quite the sense of humor and I love the way that he views life.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
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Tom, Most Welcome!
With best wishes,
~ RP
Comment from Annette R.
I will have to check out Robert Fulghum's work as I like a positive attitude so thanks for that information. I also like the title and that's why I decided to read it. Please to keep trying to keep a positive thought. If everything hurts find out why. As I age, I can't do things I used to be able to do but I can do some things I couldn't do when I was younger. I think it balances out even when some things hurt.
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reply by the author on 23-Apr-2022
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I will have to check out Robert Fulghum's work as I like a positive attitude so thanks for that information. I also like the title and that's why I decided to read it. Please to keep trying to keep a positive thought. If everything hurts find out why. As I age, I can't do things I used to be able to do but I can do some things I couldn't do when I was younger. I think it balances out even when some things hurt.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 23-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2022
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Hello Annette,
I appreciate your taking the time to read and review my story. I pretty much am aware of why I hurt, I've got arthritis in my knee and back and a few other ailments. I hate to take pills for the pain all the time, but sometimes it's necessary. I highly recommend any of Fulghum's books. He's a most interesting man.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from BethShelby
I really enjoyed reading this, and although I don't consider myself a pessimist, I can moan and groan a bit about the fact that I can no longer do all the things I used to enjoy doing. I am seldom bored, because there are too many things I'm curious about and with a computer we have the world at our fingertips. I think you have managed to turn me on to a new/old writer. I remember the title to some of the books you mention, and I always planned to read them. I will go see if I can find his blog. A good dose of optimism never hurt anyone.
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2022
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I really enjoyed reading this, and although I don't consider myself a pessimist, I can moan and groan a bit about the fact that I can no longer do all the things I used to enjoy doing. I am seldom bored, because there are too many things I'm curious about and with a computer we have the world at our fingertips. I think you have managed to turn me on to a new/old writer. I remember the title to some of the books you mention, and I always planned to read them. I will go see if I can find his blog. A good dose of optimism never hurt anyone.
Comment Written 23-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2022
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Hello Beth,
Thanks so much for the fine review and comments. I sometimes get tired of looking at the computer. With the spring like weather starting in here in Alaska, I'm starting to be able to go outside more. The ground is still frozen, so gardening is out, but I've been able to go pick up trash along the roads, so I'm not as bored as I was. I'd rather be fishing, but it's too early for that. I just picked up a copy of Uh-Oh from the library. It was the only Fulghum book that they had on the shelves. I've read it two or three times already, but writing about it made me want to read it again.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from F. William Lester
Very positive and refreshing. I think we could all use a reset--daily. Maybe then we could then deal with the important issues. My only comment: I didn't understand the connection between your title and the story unless you were talking about the differences between you and Robert Fulghum. If that's the case, forgive me but it went right over my head. Nice story. I really enjoyed it. Stay well.
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2022
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Very positive and refreshing. I think we could all use a reset--daily. Maybe then we could then deal with the important issues. My only comment: I didn't understand the connection between your title and the story unless you were talking about the differences between you and Robert Fulghum. If that's the case, forgive me but it went right over my head. Nice story. I really enjoyed it. Stay well.
Comment Written 23-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2022
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Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review my story William. Yes, Robert Fulghum and myself are at two ends of the spectrum often. With spring starting in though, I'm not as pessimistic as I can become, although if I listen to more than a few minutes of news, I can get pretty testy.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
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You're welcome, Tom. I hear you about the news. You have a good day as well.
Frank
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I do understand. My husband tends to be basically a pessimist. I often tell him, he's his own worst enemy. He reply, 'you're probably right.' I am familiar with Robert Fulghum. He does right uplifting books. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2022
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I do understand. My husband tends to be basically a pessimist. I often tell him, he's his own worst enemy. He reply, 'you're probably right.' I am familiar with Robert Fulghum. He does right uplifting books. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 23-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 23-Apr-2022
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Hello Barbara,
Thanks so much for the fine review and comments. Hopefully you help to balance out his pessimism. I have days when things look brighter, but I do tend to see the glass half empty.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from Eugenette Morin
That was very personal. I quite enjoyed it because of the movement from one state to another. It is not easy to find inspiration, or even, relief from ... well, you know! :-) Well-written and easy to follow
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2022
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That was very personal. I quite enjoyed it because of the movement from one state to another. It is not easy to find inspiration, or even, relief from ... well, you know! :-) Well-written and easy to follow
Comment Written 22-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2022
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Hello Eugenette,
Thanks for taking the time to read and review my story. I appreciate your fine review and comments.
Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Hello Tom.
This is well written piece as you are clearly exposing some of the events in life that are snares. They are there for one purpose and that is to trip us. You've come to good conclusions after stating your proposition about where you are in life and what you do next.
The one thing that has stayed with me for years, I learned from a preacher back in the 70s. He said, "The most important thing in life is character." I also learned along the way that disappointments and discouragement are normal. Over time I came to the conclusion that it's not the difficulties in life that set our course, it's how we respond to them. That's very easy to say, and very hard to carry out. I found in life that most of my troubles all came as a result of something I did. It helped me to stop doing some of the stupid things that would lead me nowhere.
I wrote in an essay a while back that "All of life is memory". I doubt if that is original, but it has certainly influenced me the last few years. Being a Christian has not delivered me from all the bad things that come along but it has delivered me from a lot of the consequences of making the wrong decisions.
Keep looking up.
Robert
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2022
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Hello Tom.
This is well written piece as you are clearly exposing some of the events in life that are snares. They are there for one purpose and that is to trip us. You've come to good conclusions after stating your proposition about where you are in life and what you do next.
The one thing that has stayed with me for years, I learned from a preacher back in the 70s. He said, "The most important thing in life is character." I also learned along the way that disappointments and discouragement are normal. Over time I came to the conclusion that it's not the difficulties in life that set our course, it's how we respond to them. That's very easy to say, and very hard to carry out. I found in life that most of my troubles all came as a result of something I did. It helped me to stop doing some of the stupid things that would lead me nowhere.
I wrote in an essay a while back that "All of life is memory". I doubt if that is original, but it has certainly influenced me the last few years. Being a Christian has not delivered me from all the bad things that come along but it has delivered me from a lot of the consequences of making the wrong decisions.
Keep looking up.
Robert
Comment Written 22-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2022
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Wow Robert- thanks so much for the six stars. I'm glad this piece resonated with you. You're right, being a Christian doesn't give us a free pass on life's troubles, but at least we have the assurance that we won't be dealing with them alone. It's surprising how many of the problems we have are the result of poor decisions. I guess that's how we learn. Unfortunately for me, I'm a slow learner.
Have a blessed evening my friend.
Tom
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You're very welcome, Tom. We all learn slowly.
Robert
Comment from LJbutterfly
I enjoyed reading a different perspective. I grew up optimistic, and then I grew older. I lived with expectancy and it was great. Now I'm disappointed I can't do what I used to be able to do. I remember Robert Fulghum's book, even though I never read it. I was curious about it but never got to it. I also remember when my days were sunshine and lollipops. Now lollipops make me fat. Thanks for this great message.
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2022
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I enjoyed reading a different perspective. I grew up optimistic, and then I grew older. I lived with expectancy and it was great. Now I'm disappointed I can't do what I used to be able to do. I remember Robert Fulghum's book, even though I never read it. I was curious about it but never got to it. I also remember when my days were sunshine and lollipops. Now lollipops make me fat. Thanks for this great message.
Comment Written 22-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2022
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Hello LJ-
You made me laugh with your last comment about the lollipops. I'm more optimistic than I used to be, which is a little scary. I used to be a real Debbie Downer type. The good part is that I could usually turn my unpleasant situation into something funny. Most people can relate to your troubles and they are usually happy that you're going through it instead of them. People!! Oh well.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from Shirley McLain
You wrote an inspiring story and did a great job of it. Your author sounds like a special fellow. I remember hearing about his first book.Enjoy the rest of your day. Shirley
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2022
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You wrote an inspiring story and did a great job of it. Your author sounds like a special fellow. I remember hearing about his first book.Enjoy the rest of your day. Shirley
Comment Written 22-Apr-2022
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2022
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Hello Shirley,
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review my story. I was fortunate enough to be able to check out Fulghum's books at our local library. His first book, while entertaining, wasn't his best in my opinion. He does have quite the positive attitude, and it's always fun to read what he's got to say. Thanks again.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
