Perspective

Some days provide lots of opportunities to gain perspective. Perspective on what is important, what matters and frankly all the things that don't. When we look back over our lives or the history of our country we see lots of things have happened to change the course of our world. It certainly has nothing to do with being most popular or being admired for who or what you are. It is not even the invention of rock and roll or disco. We could pour over volumes of such events but if we take it down to the simplest level, we ask "What has made an impact in my life"or better still "What will?" I love these thought provoking moments and occasionally I will recall my in depth thoughts hours later. You would hope it would last longer, but not so much.
I remember my 4th grade substitute teacher, Mrs. Chainey. She wore this huge
chain on her neck and would always point to that and then her knee to help you remember her name. And she would always say "Since I am the substitute I think we will read a story". And she would read with such enthusiasm that you remembered the story. My favorite was Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. She would act out some parts and well, honestly, at times you were not too sure she was all there. But what really stuck with you is her passion for what she was doing. She found it most rewarding and beneficial to ignite your interest in the world around you not the self-centered world within.
I wanted to have that kind of passion in the things I decided to do. As an adult I realize how important passion is as you have all lived with or worked with passionless people. They have lost their focus or perspective on life. They no longer can find what really matters. Is it money or possessions or looks or power? Those things only bring very short term gratitude. It is a waste of life to live for those things. There are people all over the world who have less than nothing and they are truly happy. Often it is their joy of family or appreciation of a life spared from illness. They would celebrate a single banana and while we are not happy without the entire tree.
I look at the military who defend their country to keep people safe. Their focus is on what matters: saving lives and preventing harm, making sure we do not fall under siege losing our freedom. They have seen those who live without these gifts, seen what being without simple freedom is and when they come home it is often a can of Pringles or eating the meat of their choice or taking a walk holding their loved ones hand that brings joy. Not the car or home or money but their freedom. Perspective.
In times where things seem to be falling apart all around us it is easy to lose perspective. It is a good time to sit down and make a list. What do you absolutely need to be happy and what can you live without. It may take several drafts to get to the root of things, but I bet pizza and world series tickets and a speed boat and cable will fall far down on the list when you really look. And because you wrote it down you can pull it out often to remember your in depth thoughts helping you find your perspective.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33