Last night’s storm had threatened to keep me indoors but my friend Mr. Sunshine had other plans for me.  As I ventured outside in the moist morning air I was pleased to discover many secrets buried beneath my soggy trail.  As I walked this crooked path I watched a determined Kingfisher dive into the shallow waters in search of sushi.  Around the next bend in the lake a high stepping Herron practices his dance moves as he bobs for breakfast.

        Later that morning I was fortunate enough to walk and chat with a man who was traveling his own twisted road.  He told of his path from Tennessee to California to Alabama.  His journey was one filled with hills and valleys, disappointments and achievement and now retired he reflects and calls it . . . good.  “Life” he said, “will throw you curves, you just have to keep traveling in the right direction”.  Pretty good advice.

        I had gone to bed disappointed at tomorrow’s photography prospects; only to be rewarded with unforeseen opportunities and an adventure I will not soon forget.  What made the difference?  What transformed certain defeat into a surprising success?  Disappointment!  The one thing I believed would ruin my morning (Rain) actually lead me to unimaginable creative opportunities and a new friend.

        Today, do not allow your disappointments to discourage you; just keep traveling in the right direction.  Realize that today’s detour may out of the blue reward you with some amazing opportunities.  The key that unlocks the door to adventure is your direction not the destination.  Rest assured that the one we serve is able to make all things work together for our good.  Happiness is a choice; choose to triumph over disappointments.

Something to think about:

• Happiness is not an itinerary but an attitude.

• The future is an opportunity yet unmet, a path yet untraveled, a life yet unlived. But how the future will be lived, what opportunities will be met, what paths traveled, depends on the priorities and purposes of life today.

• We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.

• Out of every disappointment there is treasure

• Disappointment is often the salt of life.

• With the right attitude, all the problems in the world will not make you a failure. With the wrong mental attitude, all the help in the world will not make you a success.

• It’s not what happens to me that matters most; it’s how I react to what happens to me.

I may not know the way, but I am thankful I know the Guide.
Rickey Moore