This day of discovery began like many others.  I determined to explore some place I had never been before.  So I started driving and took the first dirt road I came to.  When I came to an intersection I went in the direction I knew least about.  And after a few more turns I am driving on a road that was unfamiliar to me.  I know I am in DeKalb County somewhere between Sylvania and Rainsville, Alabama when I arrive at a crossroads with a couple of bridges.  I park and begin walking underneath the bridge to see what I could see.

        A gentle stream ran beneath the bridge that seemed to almost call out my name.  So like any gentleman would do I resolve to introduce myself to this attractive stranger.  After a few steps I can see that the stream has not had many visitors lately, which only make me more determined to make her acquaintance.  So here I stand 6 feet above the water and just as I am about to leap to its bank the ledge gives way and I find myself sliding and falling into a self imposed mud bath beauty treatment.  Slowly I stand and sling the mud from my hands and pull my feet out of the sludge that holds them prisoner.

        Just when I am beginning to complain and gripe about my slimy condition (apparently I need more training on how to apply a proper mud pack) I look into the waters that first drew me to this peaceful place.  The leaves from a hundred trees were dancing below the surface to the silent melody produced by the current of my mountain stream.  As I watched the twisting leaves tumble effortlessly in the water gradually I beheld another amazing sight.  On a blue stage far above a new dance was taking place.  A different current played a song only the clouds could hear and as I looked into the waters I witnessed a memorable waltz of wind and clouds.

        Isn’t it funny how the events we initially consider bad often produce many good things?  Had I not slid in the mud I would have never went to the dance.  It all depends on how we look at things, and not how they are in themselves.  What we count bad luck just might be the best thing that could happen.  The truth is all things work together for good to the person who looks upon adversities as adventures and opportunities.  Adversity can either destroy or build up, depending on how we choose to respond.  Happiness is a choice; choose to look up when you are knocked down.

Something to think about:

• Look up and not down; look forward and not back; look out and not in; and lend a hand.

• Ask not that all troubles end, for when troubles end, life ends too.

• We are promised a safe landing but not a calm passage.

• One’s attitude toward a handicap determines its impact on his life.

• Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father; who cares for you today, will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either he will shield you from suffering or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

• Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. Circumstances and situations do color life, but you have been given the mind to choose what the color shall be.

• 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.

Thankful that even when we fall down we can still look up
Rickey Moore