Are You Thriving?

I remember hearing David mention the phrase "failure to thrive" in his work with Hospice. So when I saw the logo "Are You Thriving?" on the back of the SUV parked next to me, I thought it was an advertisement for hospice service. As it turns out, it is the logo for a weight loss program which I am not suggesting you pursue.  By definition the word thrive means:

1. to grow vigorously; flourish 
2. to gain in wealth and possessions: prosper
3. to move toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances.

Thriving is really a very personal thing.  One source said that it requires the ability to be honest with yourself regarding where you are and where you want to be.  It could be related to your fitness program or not as well as one or more other areas of life.  On the blog "Thriving or Surviving?", Yasmin Mustafa from Pakistan found she could do something in her own way to help others by

• starting something that inspires and moves other people
• simply being kind
• being a mentor.

She is thriving.  We all know the gift always comes back to the giver.

Anne Lamott in her book TRAVELING MERCIES recounts a day when she prayed gimme, gimme, gimme.  After a while the Lord said to her. "Well isn't that just fabulous?  Because I need help too. So you go get that old woman over there some water and I'll figure out what we're going to do about your stuff".  Gimme, gimme, gimmie, doesn't get us very far.  Being a mentor, being an encourager, simply being kind takes us to a better place of thriving.