While working a Tuesday afternoon shift, she booked off duty early and went home because she had a small bruise on her leg that was causing her intense pain.

Later that same evening, she was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with flesh eating disease.

Wednesday her leg was operated on and it was learned that disease had spread into her other leg and abdomen.

Thursday she was given her last rights.

When I heard of this series of events, I was shocked and saddened. I listened to others saying, "How could this happen? She's young and so healthy."

I couldn't help but think to myself that her thoughts and negative feelings might have finally manifested themselves through her physically. Somehow I was not so surprised anymore by terrible news.

She remained in Intensive Care for many months and even though she was not expected to live more than four days from her diagnosis, she remains with us today.

She has very little left of her legs, endured numerous operations on several organs, and spent many months in physical, mental, spiritual and emotional agony. Many months passed before she was able to see her two young children.

I often think of her when I am inclined to react to certain situations in a negative way, or when I am tempted to fall into a negative pattern of complaining or criticizing.

One of great powers we have is power to choose, and when I’m faced with choice of complaining or making best of a situation, I take high road.

Do I do it consistently? Not always. After all, I am human and do make mistakes. But, every day I continue to strive to be better than I used to be.

What can you do today to create a more positive outlook on life?

What is an exercise that you do that causes you to lose all track of time? When you are in “the zone” and hours fly by without you noticing, you are being authentic. If your day is dragging by and your energy is low, you are functioning outside of your authentic self.

When you are operating in alignment with your true self, there is a flow that carries you effortlessly and you feel inspired, excited and on purpose.

If you have a child that loves to sit and draw, don’t insist he or she take up ballet or piano because you think it is better.

By all means, expose your children to wide variety of learning opportunities available to them, but let them settle into their chosen activity once they have been able to sample other offerings.

Jim Carrey, actor who starred in Ace Ventura, The Mask, Liar Liar, and many other hit movies, used to spend hours in front of a mirror as a child, making faces at himself and practicing impersonating others.

Most would have thought him a strange child, but his passion has made him a multi-millionaire, famous around world, and he is doing what he loves to do.

You never know what lies ahead for you or your children, but by allowing yourself to do what feels right and trusting you are on right path, you will find your purpose.

Be open to possibility, have courage to explore, and strength to walk away from situations that do not serve you.