The field was muddy and my feet were wet as I walk among hundreds of soggy sunflowers.  Thankfully the light rain was falling upon my umbrella and not upon me and my camera.  Yet, in spite of the poor conditions of the weather around me, my spirit is almost giddy.  There is something about a sunflower that causes me to smile.  I do not know what it is about this plant that affects me this way, but it just happens.  I have heard of aroma therapy, oxygen therapy and shock treatment; and how these affect the mood and disposition of a person.  Well, here is another; sunflower therapy.

        I challenge you to walk in a field of sunflowers and tell me they do not affect you; because they will.  They are a good influence on me; they can lift my spirits, inspire my creativity, draw me into a muddy field to walk around for hours, and cause me to smile for no apparent reason.  Perhaps they make me smile because I believe they are smiling at me; and so I am simply returning their smile.  A smile is contagious, infectious and a joy to spread.    A smile is a curve that helps to set things straight and it costs nothing but creates much.  Yes, a smile is a priceless commodity; able to cheer the brokenhearted, encourage the downcast and build up the weak.

        I wish I was more like the sunflower; spending my days making it easier for those around me to smile.  Our lives ought to make it easier for those who rub elbows with us to live a better life.  Do we help our friends to achieve their dreams? Do the strangers we meet leave us better or bitter?  Do we inspire, encourage and cheer or do we confuse, betray and sadden?  Are we easy to get along with or eagerly avoided?  Our attitudes, temperament and personality can be attractive and contagious or they can discourage and poison those around us; and the choice is up to us.

        Why not set out today to make goodness attractive by living a life of beauty and encouragement?  We can be like a field of gorgeous sunflowers causing people to smile for no apparent reason.  We can help people step out in faith even when the rain is falling.  We can be the kind of person who distributes the umbrella and encourages them to keep on walking.  Let us determine today to live an attractive life, let us walk a supportive and helpful walk; and let it begin with a smile.

Something to think about:

• We blossom under praise like flowers in sun and dew; we open, we reach, we grow.

• Nobody needs a smile as much as those who have none to give.

• Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles.

• Example is not the main thing in influencing others—it is the only thing.

• If you try to improve one person by being a good example, you’re improving two. If you try to improve someone without being a good example, you won’t improve anybody.

• Nothing is so infectious as example.

• We can do more good by being good than in any other way.

• More depends on my walk than talk.

• The people who influence you are people who believe in you.

• Whom you would change, you must first love.

Your friend with the muddy feet
Rickey Moore