Streamline - Spring 2016 - (Page 39)

ThrowingMyLoop BY MICHAEL JOHNSON A Positive Life... NOW THERE IS something worth living, and worth fighting for - a positive life. We are often not aware of the value we receive if we work toward that noble thing. As a young person, I was lost. Had no idea where I was and didn't question any statement about my lack of ability made by others. But what else could they think about me? When they looked at me, all they saw was someone who failed. And why did I fail? Who knows - maybe because I lacked intelligence or maybe because I was lazy. What did it matter to those in the world around me? All they saw - all they had to judge my worth by - was what I showed them. And I showed them nothing. Then something happened... A young bullrider who traveled with us on occasion, suddenly began to do better. Much better. We asked him why. His answer surprised us all. He said he read a book. "A book about bull riding?" we asked. We knew of no such thing. "No," he said. "I read a book about not defeating myself." And that chance remark by future world champion, Gary Leffew, changed my life. I read the book, too. The book was called "Psycho-Cybernetics." The author, Maxwell Maltz, an American cosmetic surgeon, had a wealth of experiences with patients and their reconstructive surgeries. He came to believe while looking our best on the outside is important, our internal view of our self - or "self-image" - may be more so, and a fertile key to higher life satisfaction. The book is full of studies that cause the reader to question opinions they may have of themselves, and suggestions to strengthen the selfimage. The book is not magical...it's practical. The value of the book for me came through clear and simple insights. In my words... "It's important to be realistic, but you have no idea what is "realistic" for you. You are more than you think. More than you know. Avoid people who want to tell you about your limitations." "You have to try. How on earth can you do anything if you don't show up?" "You have not been short-changed. The Spirit is too kind to do that." "You say you failed at everything before. Welcome to the world. Everyone does at first." www.vrwa.org 39 http://vrwa.org/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Streamline - Spring 2016

From the President: Strong
From the Executive Director: Do You Need VRWA?
Thanks for the Memories!
Future Operators: Implementing A Career
Claypool Hill: Triumph Over Adversity
Work Zone Safety Awareness: V-DOT Work Zone Traffic Control Certification
Drought
Water System Consolidation
Decline of Coal: Economic Effects on Utilities
Effectively Managing Inventory Space and Costs
VRWA Report Card
NRWA Recap
Planning Reports Funded for Three Rural Water and Waste Projects in Central Virginia
VRWA Members Corner
Throwing My Loop: A Positive Life...
Booster Club
eLearning Benefits
Membership Application
Benefits for VRWA Members
Mail Bag
Board of Directors
VRWA Committees
Index to Advertisers/Ad.com

Streamline - Spring 2016