Even if it's not sunny, keep it sunny in your heart
Some people will reject you, just because you shine too bright for them. But that's okay, just keep shining. - Author Unknown
I awoke this morning to another gloomy day outside. We've been through a long spell of dreary looking days lately and I must admit it's very easy to let them get you down if you allow it. But what does that accomplish and how does it make you feel? Well, when you accomplish nothing you generally feel lousy so, come on, throw off the self-pity with the frown or sneer on our faces and do something positive. Seeing that simple quotation above and the beautiful picture of the sunshine made me realize that being cheerful and filled with joy has nothing to do with the weather, it's all a matter of attitude. And when you add to that the Spirit of the Living God in our hearts, we should never think of being gloomy again.
Yes, sometimes we get too much rain and yes, sometimes it is lack of rain instead. But we should allow no such things to change the countenance that we display as we go about our lives for it will only bring us down if we do. Life is short and we know not when our time is done, so why in the world would we waste our precious moments here on things that do us no good. Just be glad that we are alive and capable of so many good things if we keep our frame of reference on the right things. When we do, we look better, we feel better, and those around us enjoy having us around instead of thinking here comes that old grouch who always complains about everything. None of us in our hearts wants to be looked at in that way. So buck up, cheer up and just decide that all is good and soon we will realize that it is. The only thing holding us back is our silly selves.
In thinking about such things, I am reminded of meeting a really old man years ago who was taking a brisk walk and stopping to speak to those he passed on the street everyday. I had no idea what his actual age was, thinking he was maybe in his mid-eighties but learned that he was ninety-eight, going on ninety-nine. He was amazing, always smiling and cheerful and I asked him his secret. He looked at me with a smile, pondered for a moment and then spoke.
"I am the way I am for I look at every day of life as a new adventure. What can I do better that I've done before? What new thing can I master that I've never tried? And then I set goals for myself, goals that were attainable but took some effort and attention. Like my current and last goal, to live to be one hundred. I suppose when I reach it, notice I didn't say if, I will probably then shoot for one hundred and five and come up with something new to tackle that will help me to keep pushing myself. Of course, I always try to eat a sensible diet, but not regimented, and I drink one beer every evening. But perhaps the biggest thing I've done for long life is turning over all my troubles to God, for I know He has the answers and I surely don't and I that if he is agreeable to my goals and plans they will be achieved. And if not? Who cares because I'll be with Him and receiving His tender loving care while looking down at all the fools on earth who just don't get it."
Words to the wise. And that wonderful gentleman did make his goal of living one hundred years, then dying one month later. God bless his soul. Now smile and don't worry, be happy. It will ease your life as well. That wonderful man was right.
I awoke this morning to another gloomy day outside. We've been through a long spell of dreary looking days lately and I must admit it's very easy to let them get you down if you allow it. But what does that accomplish and how does it make you feel? Well, when you accomplish nothing you generally feel lousy so, come on, throw off the self-pity with the frown or sneer on our faces and do something positive. Seeing that simple quotation above and the beautiful picture of the sunshine made me realize that being cheerful and filled with joy has nothing to do with the weather, it's all a matter of attitude. And when you add to that the Spirit of the Living God in our hearts, we should never think of being gloomy again.
Yes, sometimes we get too much rain and yes, sometimes it is lack of rain instead. But we should allow no such things to change the countenance that we display as we go about our lives for it will only bring us down if we do. Life is short and we know not when our time is done, so why in the world would we waste our precious moments here on things that do us no good. Just be glad that we are alive and capable of so many good things if we keep our frame of reference on the right things. When we do, we look better, we feel better, and those around us enjoy having us around instead of thinking here comes that old grouch who always complains about everything. None of us in our hearts wants to be looked at in that way. So buck up, cheer up and just decide that all is good and soon we will realize that it is. The only thing holding us back is our silly selves.
In thinking about such things, I am reminded of meeting a really old man years ago who was taking a brisk walk and stopping to speak to those he passed on the street everyday. I had no idea what his actual age was, thinking he was maybe in his mid-eighties but learned that he was ninety-eight, going on ninety-nine. He was amazing, always smiling and cheerful and I asked him his secret. He looked at me with a smile, pondered for a moment and then spoke.
"I am the way I am for I look at every day of life as a new adventure. What can I do better that I've done before? What new thing can I master that I've never tried? And then I set goals for myself, goals that were attainable but took some effort and attention. Like my current and last goal, to live to be one hundred. I suppose when I reach it, notice I didn't say if, I will probably then shoot for one hundred and five and come up with something new to tackle that will help me to keep pushing myself. Of course, I always try to eat a sensible diet, but not regimented, and I drink one beer every evening. But perhaps the biggest thing I've done for long life is turning over all my troubles to God, for I know He has the answers and I surely don't and I that if he is agreeable to my goals and plans they will be achieved. And if not? Who cares because I'll be with Him and receiving His tender loving care while looking down at all the fools on earth who just don't get it."
Words to the wise. And that wonderful gentleman did make his goal of living one hundred years, then dying one month later. God bless his soul. Now smile and don't worry, be happy. It will ease your life as well. That wonderful man was right.
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