A few minutes earlier, I was standing in a spot that people had turned into a place to dump garbage.  Standing at that spot I was shocked to see the carcasses of deer, coyotes and other unidentifiable animals in all states of decay.  They were killed and just dumped here, out of sight and forgotten.  It was a disturbing place, a place that must have once been very pleasant and tranquil, but that was a long time ago.  Now it was a place I looked forward to leaving and some of those images still trouble me and left me a little sickened.

                But one of the great things about looking for the positive and the beautiful things in life is, if you do not give up and keep on searching in spite of the negative and the disturbing, you will be rewarded.  And so it was on this day filled with paradox and splendor.  Less than 10 miles from the garbage dump, I found this gorgeous place of refreshment and peacefulness.  I can still hear the sound of the mighty waterfall crashing on the rocks below.  It was the sound of a gentle roar with a southern base voice and it sung me a song of reassurance and encouragement. 

                As I stood at the edge of Yellow Creek Falls and listened to the melody of his song, I began to make out some of the words.  “Do not allow anyone to discourage you; do not stop; keep on going forward and remember that there is an awesome amount of power in your will”.  I must have stood and listened to this song for 20 minutes or so and afterwards I forgot all about the garbage I had seen earlier.  Look for the good and you will find it; the world in which we live is full of many mighty wonders if we would but pause to see them.

                The lesson I learned this evening was that persistence pays great dividends.  And when we are forced to face the ugliness of human nature, do not allow that to dishearten you or make you stop looking and living your good life.  We find what we look for; so, the real question is, what have you been looking for?  Today, determine in your heart to find something unusual and beautiful and you might be surprised at the end of the day what you have found.  What have you got to lose?

Something to think about:

• The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.

• When faced with a mountain, I will not quit! I will keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath . . . or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine, with the Master’s help.

• A man in earnest finds means, or if he cannot find, creates them.

• Never think you could do something if only you had a different lot and sphere assigned you. What you call hindrances, obstacles, discouragements, are probably opportunities.

• Discouragement is faith in the devil.

• Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.

• Discouraged people don’t need critics. They hurt enough already. They don’t need more guilt or piled-on distress. They need encouragement. They need a refuge. A willing, caring, available someone.

• Success comes to those who are neither afraid to fail nor discouraged by failures.

I think I can, I think I can…
Rickey Moore