Do you want to know what I do whenever I think that things are bothering me? I do one of several things, really.
For starters, I like to sit back in my backyard, under a oak tree, in the shade, and I like to listen to the birds twittering in the trees and just let my mind wander and think about things I am thankful for (family, life, friends, my doing well at school, etc.), or think about others who may not have it as good as me. Many people don't have the most basic of necessities in order to survive: food, clothing, a place to call home. Or they may be sick or dying; and they don't have anybody to come over to visit them and cheer them up; they are alone and forgotten in the world. Or they may not have the freedom to do as they so choose; if they buck the system put upon them by their governments they are punished severely--or possibly even killed. Or they may not know what it is like to have a family and are living in orphanages, unwanted, because of race, age, sex, disability, or whatever. Or they may be learning impaired or abused, and people don't want to adopt such kids because they "are unpredictable".
I also like to think about my childhood prior to losing my folks, and I think about mom and daddy and how I still miss them even today. Mom was small and dark, with black hair and eyes, and daddy was tall, blonde, and had blue eyes. They were really kind, and they made sure I had everything I deserved in life. They also taught me about compassion and caring for other people, and they taught me how to love life and appreciate my Cajun French and Scandinavian heritage and to be proud of both.
I had a happy childhood; I grew up speaking both French and English, and I grew to appreciate the Cajun music I had heard; and I grew to appreciate everything that went along with my heritage.
Or I write down my thoughts and feelings I may be experiencing on a particular day and go back and look back at what I had written down. I was taught by my supervisor back at the orphanage to write down my feelings, and it has really helped me grow and mature emotionally and mentally. I think this is why I appear to be more mature than a lot of kids my age. I can handle just about anything life throws at me.
Except bugs. I HATE bugs!!!!!
Another thing I like to do is draw; I like to draw pictures of things that have happened to me; and, like my writing, I can look back and reflect on how far I have come in life.
I think I am more fortunate than most people because I have a good family I can call my own, and know that they all love and care for me; and I can always go to them whenever I have a problem. I also have friends I can share my secrets with, and I have friends where I can just hang around with them and act goofy; and nobody will get mad. I also have the satisfaction of knowing that I am a Christian and have accepted Jesus Christ into my life and because of this, I am going to Heaven and be with Him when that time comes.
I also think about all of the problems the world is experiencing, and I like to take the time to thank God that I am not in a place where there is civil unrest or war (although we, here in America, are at war with the terrorists, after what they have done last September 11; we are trying to stop their evil works in their tracks), or where starvation or sickness is so prevelent (like Africa; many people are starving to death because of war or famine, and many people there have AIDS; and they are dying by the thousands each and every day). Sure, America has more than her share of problems (the huge gap between the rich and the poor, the rising costs of medical care and prescription drugs, which has left many seniors out in the cold, unable to afford the medicines they so desperately need, child pornography, kidnappings, or abuse, a corrupt judicial system, crime, etc.), but compared to a lot of places, America is quite fortunate--or, as I like to say, BLESSED.
I find that my pondering the above things makes me calm and serene; and I just fall down on my knees and thank Jesus up Above for all He has done for me; and I also spend time in prayer, praying for our world and our people, and people most important to me, and even those people who intentionally want to harm others (like the terrorists, for example). (They need prayer, too; God can change hearts; after all, He did MINE!!)
I look at these people stressing out over things that are occurring in their lives, and I wonder why they are doing so and wondering if it is all worth to get upset over something trivial. All they have to do is find a spot to get away (and MAKE THE TIME TO DO SO), and just think about how good they have it compared to a lot of people.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out!!!!
Want to review or comment on this short story?
Need a FREE Reader Membership?
Reviewed by Joanne Stampley
7/28/2002
I love your story, I thank God for the good and the bad, because He give me strength every day to deal with what I must. Thank you for that story.
Joanne
When two men hit the reset button and decide to go out looking for the good in the world, they not only find it but also a lot more.
P.S. The title is listed on Amazon under Look for Something Good by Robert Drews (not by Robert H. Drews)
