Brighten Your Day

One year when I was in college my friend and I decided to skip the crowds going to the beaches for Spring break and instead go skiing at a local resort. It sounded like an exciting adventure to both of us. There was only one flaw in our plan, however. Neither one of us knew how to ski. We spent the first day there then falling over and over, trying to gain our balance and learn how to ski on the children's slopes. Finally, by the end of the day we started to get the hang of it and began to head down the snow covered hills a little better.

Just as I was beginning to enjoy the feeling of zooming down the icy hillsides another skier accidentally cut in front of me. Instinctively, I turned to the left and found myself headed straight for a tree. They say your life flashes before your eyes in times like these and mine certainly did. One thing I realized too was that I didn't want it to end so soon. With no other choice I fell hard and rolled in the snow with my skis in the air.

Laying there bruised and covered in snow I realized that skiing down mountains, sky diving, base jumping, and driving race cars weren't my type of adventures. I preferred sipping hot chocolate by a fireplace, walking in the woods, reading a good book, and talking with a friend. It was good thing to know and I was happy I didn't have to break a leg to learn it.

Over the years too I found that the most exciting adventure of all in this life is simply loving each other. No other adventure brings you as much joy. No other adventure brings you as much peace. No other adventure brings you closer to God. Don't be afraid then to participate in this exciting adventure of love. Ski the course. Throw open your heart. Share your smiles, your talents, and your kindness. Build others up instead of bringing them down. Live your life with so much love and light that God smiles and the angels sing.