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August 20, 2023: How A Barn Full of Manure and A Shovel Taught Me About Optimism

A perennial optimist on my own, I learned about the quality of optimism from my mother, Margaret. She always had the capacity to look on the bright side of any situation. A frequent refrain I heard over the years was a phrase about a barn full of manure. She would tell me that whenever you were situated in a barn full of “horse poop”, grab a shovel, because underneath all of the smelly stuff, there was bound to be a pony in there somewhere.”

This advice has rung true throughout the years. Despite any of the trials and tribulations that have occurred in my life, I have found her simple metaphor has proven to be effective. Whether you think of a silver lining, a bright side, or even the thought that blessings come in a disguise, challenging times do eventually pass. But in retrospect, these difficult times can lead to new experiences, unexpected gifts and places we never would have imagined happening.

These past nine days have found me laid up in bed with a particularly nasty respiratory infection, that has necessitated a visit to the e.r. for tests and medical treatments. I’m normally a high energy person, so being very sick and weak as a kitten is an anomaly. I’m also an impatient patient, wanting this healing process to hasten, in spite of the fact that the doctor ordered, along with an arsenal of meds, rest, rest and more rest.

While feeling miserable yesterday afternoon, I suddenly thought of my mom and her simple illustration on how to be positive. It eventually switched my attention from a focus on misery to gratitude. Yes, I was still in bed, but was looking at a beautiful lake outside my window and listening to the chattering of hummingbirds as they flitted by. The symbolic “shovel” that I reached for was gratitude. I was thankful to have a comfortable bed to sleep in, the access and ability to pay for medical care, and most importantly the blessings, care and kindness of family and friends who keep checking in bringing messages of encouragement, soup and tea. Changing the focus of my thoughts brought me out of a self-imposed “pity party of frustration”, to one of feeling grateful……it has made a significant difference. I am more at peace with this healing process.

Being mindful of the healing process, we need to make a decision on whether or not the show next weekend in Meredith can happen. It’s a complex, hard decision but I need to listen to the medical advice and listen to my body. But as a dear friend reminded me, “if we don’t take time for wellness, we are forced to take time for illness.”

In addition to my mother’s advice, I am including some inspirational quotes for optimism during challenging times: from sources ranging from the Dali Lama to Dr. Seuss. Sometimes, with messages like hers, positive thinking thoughts are just what the doctor ordered. When times are hard and your spirits are low, words of encouragement and hope can make a difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blogpost.

Best regards,

Wendy Oellers-Fulmer

“Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.”

– Dalai Lama

“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.”

– Willie Nelson

“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”

– Lucille Ball

“Each day comes bearing its gifts. Untie the ribbon.”

— Ann Ruth Schabacker

“Sometimes, when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place.”

— Unknown

“Great things happen to those who don’t stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful.”

― Roy T. Bennett

“Kindness is one thing you can’t give away. It always comes back.”

— George Skolsky

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.”

—Walt Whitman

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.”

—Dr. Seuss

 “When you realize how precious and fragile life is, it changes your whole perspective.”

—Ryan O’Donnell

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

— Francis of Assisi

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children…to leave the world a better place…to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of my visitors this week…..a gift from nature.