I have always avoided the razor-sharp barbs of any cactus.  Well not always, but that is the reason that I always avoid the jagged barbs of any cactus.  It is the once bitten twice shy thing.  But in contrast to my extreme respect for this prickly fruit, I love to photograph and look at all the many varieties of cactus; each one different and unique, yet all have one thorny thing in common.  I guess you get my point?

        Lately I have been enjoying some prickly pear jelly made from the fruit of the prickly pear cactus.  I challenge you to try some if you get the opportunity, it is most delicious.  Another thing I have discovered lately is how good for you cactus is; it is packed full of fiber, vitamins and minerals.  It is a plant that can not only grow, but thrive in the harshest of environments.  I am told that the prickly pear cactus can produce fruit for up to 3 years without one drop of water. 

        I wish I was more like a cactus.  I am too pampered and spoiled to make it if I lived in any kind of extreme conditions.  I have gotten use to central heat and air, automobiles, electricity, fast food, television, super markets and drug stores to be able to cope with any kind of hardship.  I complain if the traffic slows down to the speed limit; I get impatient if I have to wait a few minutes for my food to be prepared and delivered to me.  And you ought to hear me whimper and whine if I misplace the remote control; it is not a pretty site.

        My problem is I avoid anything that resembles discomfort, never realizing that in the midst of difficulty and discomfort lies opportunity.  If only my opportunities were labeled, then I would rise to meet them.  But sadly, they are cleverly disguised as hardships, problems and difficulties.  And it is only when we roll up our sleeves to tackle these problems that we are introduced to opportunities.  The only difference between stumbling blocks and stepping- stones is the way you use them.  Today, let us meet the difficult head on and search for occasions to be helpful to those around us.

Something to think about:

• The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

• An obstacle is often an unrecognized opportunity.

• When opportunity knocks at the door, most people are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers.

• Don’t wait for an opportunity to come; it’s already here.

• There is no security on earth, only opportunity.

• Education is the key to the door of opportunity.

• Weak men wait for opportunities—strong men make them.

• An opportunist is one who goes ahead and does what you had always been planning to do.

• All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seed of today.

Thankful for those who get the point
Rickey Moore