Life constantly tests our willingness to see the good and beautiful around us. In the past week, one of my favorite forests — the Black Forest on the edge of Colorado Springs — burst into raging flames and friends got evacuated from their home. Hundreds of families became homeless when their houses burned to the ground.
Here in Santa Fe, where we have situated our RV home for the summer, fires have devoured forests near Pecos to the north and Jemez to the west. My heart sinks every time I see or smell the smoke and when I think of the wildlife that died or became displaced.
Sometimes just the details and aggravations of daily life keep us from seeing the good and beautiful around us. Situations like these can spiral your mood downward:
- your computer gets infected
- your phone dies in the middle of an important conversation
- your spouse breaks his arm or gets sick
When devastating or disruptive incidents happen, it's natural to react emotionally — to feel sad, angry, upset or even hopeless. It's important to acknowledge and feel the pain.
It's also important to place the situation in perspective and see beyond what's in front of you.
As difficult as it may be, count your blessings. Appreciate the good and beautiful: the friend who took you in, the tech support guy who soothed your concerns, the skilled medical staff, a bird singing, a flower in full blossom.
And then...make a joyful noise.
Note: David Muenker photographed this lovely French Polynesian woman singing on the island of Raiatea.
