Monty had to take me to the ER this morning. I’ve been struggling so much with asthma lately, spending my nights and days coughing and wheezing, taking my rescue inhaler multiple times an hour, and using my nebulizer over and over again. By this morning, none of my rescue methods were working, and I was really fighting to breathe. So we had to go the ER for treatment. When we left, prescriptions for steroids and a different inhaler in hand, I complained to Monty about how shaky and sick the treatments always make me feel, and how they always give me a massive headache. Monty’s reply? “Well, the good news is you can breathe.”
That’s Monty in a nutshell. He always, always sees the good side of people and circumstances. He doesn’t complain; he finds solutions. When I complain, he very subtly reverses my complaint so that it has a silver lining. For example, I’ll say that my asthma is flaring up; he’ll say, “Well, at least you don’t have a migraine.” If I have a migraine, he’ll say, “The good news is that the pain always passes.” If our satellite goes out and our favorite shows don’t get recorded, I’ll bemoan the situation. Monty will say, “They probably weren’t good episodes anyway.” And if I complain that our cat Mackin scratched me, Monty will point out that Mackin let me pick him up, which, if you’ve been reading Project Mackin, you’ll know is significant.
There’s a rap by Jay-Z called “99 Problems.” If Monty wrote that rap, it would be called “99 Blessings.” (it also wouldn’t rhyme, but that’s another story.) Monty is without a doubt an optimist to the extreme—a Pollyanna. Pollyanna is the heroine of the 1913 novel by Eleanor Porter, made popular by the 1960 Disney movie starring Hayley Mills. I looked up the definition of a Pollyanna today, and I liked these two the best: “A Pollyanna is a person who believes that good things are more likely to happen than bad things.” (from the English Dictionary) And from Merriam Webster: “A Pollyanna is a person characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything.” Those two definitions summarize Monty perfectly.
And these two columns summarize us perfectly:
| My complaint: | Monty’s response: |
|---|---|
| It’s been so dry lately. | Which is awesome because I got to test out my new sprinkler system before winter! |
| Mackin just barfed in six places. | Well, at least two of the spots weren’t on the carpet. |
| My nose is so stuffy. | You’re lucky. We’re driving past a feedlot. |
| I have so much work to get done. | I know. Isn’t it great how well the business is doing? |
| I’ll never write again. I’m so blocked. | You say that ten times a day. And then you write. |
| We always end up in the slowest checkout line! | Well, this way you can read the magazines while we wait. |
| How can there possibly be traffic here? We’re literally between a town of 900 and a town of 400. | Just pretend we’re taking the scenic route. |
I’m learning to apply some creative editing to my own thoughts—to take my negative thoughts and give them the Monty treatment:
I look in the mirror and think, Well, this is unfortunate. How did my hair expand into such a huge curly mop in two hours? After applying the Monty treatment: The good news is that there are always hats.
I’m so tired of being in pain and having to struggle with asthma. After applying the Monty treatment: I’m so grateful for the days without pain and breathing problems. And so grateful that my struggles force me to depend on God. His grace is sufficient for me.
I’m getting really weary of having to fight so hard every day to recover from addiction and alcoholism. I wish I was like everybody else. After applying the Monty treatment: Every single person has to fight for something every day. You’re no different. And if the fight wasn’t so hard, you’d go right back to where you were because you’d know how easily you could solve those problems. Besides, wouldn’t you rather be sober and in recovery than the alternative?
I, of all people, should know this: words have tremendous power. Whether we speak them or think them, words have a huge impact on how we see the world—whether we see our problems or our blessings. I don’t want to be a bitter, complaining person that no one wants to be around. I don’t need to create problems or make them worse by giving them a voice. I may truly think sometimes that I have 99 problems, but I certainly don’t need to focus on them. I want to do what Monty does, and deliberately choose—over and over—to “find the good in everything.” And you know what surprises me again and again? There is always something good to be found, if you look for it.
So, after some editing and giving my story the Monty treatment, I’d like to tell you again about my morning. I was so blessed to be just blocks from the hospital, since I had an urgent situation. The nurses and doctor were fast and gave me life-saving treatment. And I left with a protocol for further treatment. I’m so grateful that I have a husband to rush me to the hospital and stay in the room with me, holding my hand, while I receive treatment. And I am beyond grateful that I’m breathing now without wheezing or coughing. So tonight, I’m counting my blessings. I have at least 99—and Monty’s definitely one.
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”William Arthur Ward
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Comments 18
Thank for this uplifting blog. Your description of Monty reminds me how much he takes after his mother, who always had a positive attitude. In fact, I always thought of my sweet sister as a Pollyanna. I know Janet, watching over both of you from heaven, is so proud of the man he’s become.
He is so much like her. Janet always did look for the good in everyone and everything. And Monty does the same. Your words mean so much to him–thank you for that. And I agree with you–Janet must be so proud of who he’s become.
Positivity is a real blessing…especially when it comes so naturally.
May we all learn the Monty treatment ! So glad that you are feeling better.
Positivity is a blessing especially when it comes so naturally !! May we all learn from Monty. So glad you are feeling better.
Thank you, Carole. Yes–may we all learn from Monty!
P.S. Thank God Your Flare UPS, are under control. Godspeed.
Amen!
The Monty Treatment, an excellent alternative to negativity. Another excellent article, Angel. Glad Monty destroys your “mental blocks”. Beautifully written. ❤️
Thank you so much, Hal. I so appreciate you taking the time to read my words. I wish I could bottle The Monty Treatment–so many people could use it. Thank you again.
Dear Renee, so sorry to hear of your severe flair-ups, yet grateful for hospital nearby. I know that you know that cats do not help in this matter but that one does make choices and these are your babies. The thought that came up immediately as I started reading this was that while Mackin appears allergic to you ( not wanting you close), perhaps you are also allergic to him, more so then to your other two cats? I know this might sound silly, but it just hit me that you have been trying to get closer to Mackin and also got scratched by him , perhaps his fur re-acts more so to you then from the others? Is this possible at all, and if so, this maybe a heavenly reason for him to not come as close to you and help both of you in leaving some space between you, yet not being afraid on Mackin’s part. I know a little about the subject due to my late sister in law who was a severe asthmatic and also Aasta, my daughter. Janneke and my brother had many dogs, cats and goats because she adored animals. Aasta would also stay with her girlfriend who had 3 cats and when she stayed more then one night, she would need a ton of medication with her.
Klara, I definitely think you have a point. Mackin has a coat of very short, bristly fur. And from the moment I first held him, he made me sneeze. Which, in turn, scared him. I’m not nearly as allergic to Seamus and Carrick. I can’t even tell you how much I love your idea that there might be a “heavenly” reason that keeps space between us. That is a huge epiphany for me–and a beautiful picture of a loving God. I’m going to begin allergy shots next week that will decrease my reactions to allergens and increase my ability to fight off the allergens. I’m praying that this is a logical next step. And I feel so blessed that this is now an option in our area. I will always fight for my boys! Thank you for your insight–truly. You’ve given me new things to think about.
Was nervous about saying what I thought knowing how much you loved your boys, but could not help myself. Hope the shots will work, that and bit of extra vacuum cleaning might just do the trick. Have you ever thought about an air purifying system of sorts? Perhaps that may also be beneficial?
I do indeed love my boys–but I love you, too. You may have just crossed the line with me, though, suggesting that increased vacuuming! Seriously, I do appreciate your input and am always open to suggestions. Just not vacuuming.
Ha, ha sorry I crossed that one line?? Just a mom thing–vacuum and wet dust so the dust did not fly around and cause more issues for Aasta. Love you to Renee. Could you somehow bribe Monty for this task?
Wonderful! Learning to “bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” is a life long process., but a process of great reward! I am giving thanks to the Lord, this morning, for the sweet gift of YOU! I am giving thanks for the fact that His hand is upon your life in such a precious and loving way. I am giving thanks for a husband that loves his wife as Christ loves the church. May God bless you and Monty for your transparency and willingness to share your struggles in life….and how you see God working to make you overcomers! What a blessing you are to so many! Thank you!
Thank you, Sharon. I, too, am giving thanks for those same blessings. Thanks for reading and commenting, my friend.
Thank you for this! I’ve struggling lately. I’m going to try Monty treatment?
Thank you, Lora. I don’t know what your struggle is, but I will start praying about it. The Monty treatment is very effective, I promise!