A beautiful Alabama afternoon greets us as we gaze over Little River Canyon.  The warm breeze rising up from the depths of the gorge rush past us brings the sweet smells of spring.  The birds of prey casually glance over their shoulders at us as they float effortlessly upon the invisible currents.  The peaceful sounds rising from the stage below have joined forces to form the addictive rhythm we call silence.

Spring break is over and tomorrow my daughter must travel back to school.  But thankfully I have today; 24 hours packed full of possibilities and overflowing with opportunities.  I could choose to look at this day through melancholy eyes; seeing only my possible loneliness and fearing what might come tomorrow.  But instead of filling my world with negative thoughts I chose to focus on all the tremendous treasures that I possess at this moment.

          I have noticed that when I choose to focus upon the many good things that I do have I tend to forget the things I do not have.  My selfish heart sometimes craves the stuff I see other people have and then I begin to feel deprived, cheated and unfulfilled.   That point of view is a downward spiral that leads only to the pit of emptiness.  The next time you are tempted to feel downhearted snap out of it and look around.  The earth around you is crammed full of heaven.  We have been given so many wonderful things to enjoy how dare we ever complain on what we do not have. 

          My problem is not that I have been deprived; my problem is I choose to look at the wrong things.  I choose to go hungry while walking through a banquet hall; I perish from thirst while I stroll past a crystal clear stream.  My problem is not need; my problem is learning to enjoy what I already possess.  Today, let us pray for the ability to see more clearly all the many blessings we have and for the courage to enjoy what we have been given.  Happiness is a choice; choose to change your point of view.

Something to think about:

• The world is full of untold beauty for him who has the eyes to see them.

• It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.

• If you can evaluate things as they really are, and not as people report them to be, then you are wise, and Heaven is your teacher.

• Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.

• Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and knowledge in unexpected people.

Thankful for the blessing of friendship
Rickey Moore