Shoot For the Moon

Today, in this fast-paced, high-tech world we live in, we tend to disregard the beauty that surrounds us.  We're too busy with work and school.  We're too stressed out and tired to literally stop and smell the roses.  When was the last time you took time out of your day and went to a quiet, secluded area (such as your backyard, a hammock surrounded by trees, a field, or a lake)?  It's been a while, hasn't it?  We often take for granted the beauty of this magnificent planet on which we dwell.  

You are constantly surrounded by beauty, even at night.  When was the last time you took a moment, went outside, and just looked up at the stars?  Or dug your telescope out from the back of your closet, set it up, and took a good look at the moon, or other planets?  Chances are, you would be pretty sad or upset if, one evening, you discovered there were no stars or moon in the sky.  We take simple (yet complex) things such as the moon, stars, sun, and clouds for granted too often.      

Picture this: 

There's no sun.

No clouds.

No moon and no stars.

No trees.

No electricity.

No running water.

No forms of telecommunication.

No TV, no computers, no cell phones, or cameras.

No food.

And no roof over your head.

How long do you think you could survive under the aforementioned conditions?  Not too long I bet.  Especially with no food or celestial bodies...

Every little thing that surrounds you is a reason (big or small) why you're alive or living the way you are right now.

Even so, we take every single thing that is on that list for granted every day.  

Except for today.       

Because I ask this of you…

Just take a minute, and make a list of everything you're thankful for.  EVERYTHING.  By the time you're finished, that list should be at least a page or two long if you put some thought into it.  

Here, I'll get you started:

1.) Be thankful that you're alive and breathing.

2.) Be thankful you have people in your life that love you dearly whether you realize it or not.

3.) Be thankful that the sun comes up every morning.

4.) Be thankful that there is beauty in absolutely everything.

If you feel you don't have time to stop and take in the elegance of the world around you, make time.  

Even so, if you don't write out the list tomorrow, or even the next day, at least write it out in time for Thanksgiving.  For isn't that what Thanksgiving's all about?  Giving thanks for your life and the people who are in it?

HOPE.

It seems like such a simple word, doesn't it?  It only has four letters, and it doesn't take up much space at all.  But that's only what it looks like on the surface.  

Hope is much more than just a simple little word. SO much more.  

Have you ever been around someone who, no matter what the circumstance, always seems to view the glass as half full?  You might say they are optimistic, but they also possess hope.  They are optimistic that things are going to work out for the best, but at the same time they're hoping and praying that it does, too.

Let's look at it like this…

Your life is a novel, you're the main character, and everything you do and say is part of the plot.  If you've ever read a book, you will know that it's always slow going in the beginning (the same also goes for your life).  You will also know that the main character always gets into some kind of predicament that he/she thinks they'll never get out of.  You could say that they think all hope is lost.

Then what happens?  Well, the protagonist always (that's right, ALWAYS) gets out of the bad situation he finds himself in, and something great usually happens to him in the end.

So if you still feel like life is terrible, that you want to give up and throw in the towel, just wait.  Give it a little time, because sometimes it just takes a while to get to the good parts of your story.  In the meantime, NEVER LOSE HOPE.

And please, if you ever come across someone who feels like giving up, never deprive them of their hope.  Even if they don't have much of it, it might be all that they have.

So hold on.  God knows what he's doing.  I promise.