Today is the first day of Spring…and for so many folks it’s really a kind of awakening and optimism for the days ahead. Having lived most of my life “up North”–Pennsylvania, specifically–I vividly recall those bright mornings that pushed the dark days of Winter off to the side, with a hint of warm weather and a fresh, clear air promising a beautiful day ahead. Even in the South, springtime brings us evidence of rebirth, as the grass re-greens and trees re-bud, although we know there are some days of searing heat on our dance cards in the months ahead. But, hey–that’s why we headed South, so enjoy it!

So, as Mother Nature embraces its annual revival, now’s a good time for all of us to do some quick reflection on the world around us. It’s been a rough few years, as we worked our way through the pandemic and as we deal with the political climate we face, but sometimes it’s just refreshing to step back and ruminate on our current state of mind. This post will hopefully provide some encouragement as you do just that. It’s brief…just “six little stories” to help you reflect!

(Editorial Note: I can’t take credit for the creation of these “stories.” They were sent to me by a friend, and they’ve been circulating for some time in cyberspace. The comments in italics are my own contribution.)

First little story: “Once all the villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer, all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella. That is faith.” Ah, the innocence of youth!

Second little story: “When you throw babies up in the air, they laugh because they know you will catch them. That is trust.” We all hope that kind of trust is permanent.

Third little story: “Every night we go to bed without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but we set alarms to wake up. That is hope.” This type of hope is a reflex…let’s keep it that way!

Fourth little story: “We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future. That is confidence.” Nonbody can actually see the future, but to dismiss that there is one would rob us of joy.

Fifth little story: “We see the world suffering, but still we get married and have children. That is love.” The importance of family is a lifeline for all of us.

And the sixth little story: “On an old man’s shirt was written a sentence: ‘I am not 80 years old; I am sweet 16 with 64 years of experience.’ That is attitude.” Once you’ve made it that far, you know your experience should be shared.