A Joyous Perspective on Positive Fear: It's about being concerned.

This week at the Friday Night Thought Tale Hour with the Henderson's, the man and I are thinking about a person who has played a unifying role in our lives together. Nearly every Sunday (or via DVR another day) for the past several years, we sit down at noon and watch "The McLaughlin Group" on PBS. I love Eleanor; he loves Mort, but we both adore Dr. James McLaughlin. His oft cranky but directive style kept even the most verbose of a panelist on the topic at hand. This last Tuesday, he lost a valiant battle to cancer. 
We had both been a bit concerned when the message below came up on last Sunday's show:

"Yet my spirit is strong, and my dedication...remains absolute!"

Ah, those words struck me to my core as I re-read them later in the week. Especially as I was taking a closer look this week at the subject of 'fear' on my Joyous Perspective page. Talk about looking fear in the face! This 89-year-old man was taking no steps back in his long, distinguished and action-packed life. The inspiration of his words was not lost on this 56-year-old Grammy.

Because there is a kind of positive fear that can drive good motivation.

Dr. McLaughlin was asked just after 9/11 if the events perhaps

made him think he should take more time to stop and smell the roses vs. energetically producing weekly news shows. McLaughlin smiled, and the man who faulted organized religion for being too 'exclusive' quoted Esther: "Who can say but that God has brought you into the palace for just such a time as this?”(Esther 4:14) He knew we needed people like him, with his wisdom and experience, more than ever. He wasn't fearful, but he was 'concerned'. 

And 'concern' is a good alternative to fear.

Our concerns drive us to step up when our body feels like sitting down. They strengthen our spirit when our vision grows blurry, providing us with direction and insight. They whisper in our ears messages like, "You're not done yet..." when we are surrounded by the noise of loud voices who try to shout us down. Yes, Dr. McLaughlin remained concerned - and so he stayed - until nearly his last day on this earthly plane.

So no matter your age, don't let the minions stop you.

If you remain concerned, then remain involved with your passions and your dreams. Walk into a room filled with 20-somethings who stare at you as though you must be in the wrong place, and demonstrate why you are far from anywhere but right where you belong. Keep tuning your knowledge, learning something new every day. Old dogs can learn new tricks, and they can also run circles around the young ones. Be absolute in your dedication.

So tonight, we will toast to Dr. Jim, with a drink I am lovingly calling, "NEXT QUESTION!", which was his signature statement. We will say 'bye-bye' to a Sunday morning legend, but he will continue to motivate us to ask ourselves what the answer is to the 'next question' in our lives. May he run happily, with Oliver at his side. Cheers, Friends.

Joy's "Next Question!" Cocktail**

(Serves two)

2 oz of Spiced Rum

2 oz of Pineapple Vodka

2 oz of Cake Vodka

2 oz of Fresh Pineapple Juice

Salt or sugar for rim

Fresh Pineapple and Mint for garnish

Chill two martini glasses, then fill with ice. Fill a shaker with crushed ice and all the liquid ingredients. Shake hard. Dump ice from glasses, then rim with sugar or salt. Fill with shaker contents and garnish with pineapple and mint. Now you are ready to answer the next question! Cheers!

**Always drink responsibly. Never drive after consuming alcohol.