It was one of those magical days when the wind is cold and the sunshine is warm only if you can get out of the frigid breeze.  So here I am lying on the ground and allowing the tall grass to shelter me from the cold.  Immediately I get comfortable in my newly found nest.  My eyes begin to get so heavy that I am unable to hold them open one moment longer.  Slowly I shut my eyes and enjoy a delicious moment of complete relaxation.  Alone in my dark jungle I am instantly comforted by the pleasant sounds of the wind whistling through the grass and the soothing rays of the sun shinning upon my smiling face.

        After what seemed a long time I was forced to open my eyes.  Something was tickling my nose.  It did not take long to discover the source of my irritation.  It was the tiny parachutes of a dandelion carried by the wind that had roused me from my dreamlike trance.  As I roll over and begin to investigate I find that I am surrounded by dandelions.  I pluck one from beside my face and lift it up above the sheltering grass and watch as one by one each insignificant seed let’s go and soars out of sight until all that remains is a bald dandelion.

         As I look at my hairless friend I feel a strange loneliness.  One moment he is surrounded by his peers and living in his comfort zone.  The next moment he stares in unbelief as he watches each one let go and fly away to begin a new life.  Then I realize that the dandelion is not sad at all.  He has been working for this day all his life.  Every day he had dreamed of defying gravity and floating on air.  He knew he would get his chance one day.  And today as I lifted him into the cool breeze he seized his opportunity and launched his expedition into the great beyond. 

        I wish I was more like the dandelion; ready to seize my opportunities to soar and explore.  Sadly, I am too often more concerned with comfort zones and getting and keeping what I want than I am with new frontiers and following my dreams.  Today, why don’t we set our eyes on something higher than the same ole same old?  We were made to fly and go places our parents never dreamed of; so don’t limit yourself by hanging on to good things when there are better things for us if we would but let go and fly.  Get out of your comfort zone and blaze a new trail that leads straight to your dreams.  You can do it!  Remember, happiness is a choice; choose to let go and fly.

Something to think about:

• The heavens are as deep as our aspirations are high.

• The true worth of a man is to be measured by the objects he pursues.

• Have courage to let go of the things not worth sticking to.

• Efficiency is enhanced not by what we accomplish but more often by what we relinquish.

• Treasures in heaven are laid up only as treasures on earth are laid down.

• There is not a heart but has its moments of longing, yearning for something better; nobler; holier than it knows now.

Thankful for sunny days and tall grass
Rickey Moore