Not everybody would agree with that statement, that life is a wonderful thing. But  when I think of all the opportunities that have come along in my short 42 years so  far, I'm amazed. If I were to list every blessing that has come into my life, and if  I could remember ALL of them, I'd have more than one blessings journal...I'd have  about a dozen full with more filling up.

We as humans get so busy and caught up in the everyday hussle of life, that we  often overlook the good things in life. People caught in traffic jams get uptight,  yell, honk their horns, when instead they could be taking a time for relaxing  breathing exercises, or the joy of listening to your favourite music without having  to concentrate on the road. One could even lay their head back for a moment of  quietness or meditation and prayer.

We take so much for granted. The trees that blow and create the oxygen we  breathe. The mess on the ground from dropping our garbage instead of holding  onto it just long enough to find a nearby garbage bin, the joy of hearing a baby  laugh, giggle and screech for joy while on a bus. Most people get annoyed at the  sound of a baby, but stop and think of what the world looks like to them!  Everything they see is new and fascinating and exciting.

We need to be more like the infant and soak in all the little things in life we  forget about or take for granted by not giving them a single thought. If you find  that hard to do, try getting down on your knees and look up at the world again.  Better yet, lie down on the ground and see how big everything appears and what  you can see from that tiny perspective compared to what we see from our taller  adult perspective.

Life is a wonderful thing if you will allow yourself to enjoy it. And truly, the choice is yours! Nobody can make you go one way or another, because you are in charge  of and are responsible for the decisions you make.

Make a list of 20 things you are thankful for that you wouldn't normally think of.  The air we breathe, time to read a book on a bus, clean clothes to wear etc. I  challenge you to start living with an attitude of wonder and joy. It is a choice you  make. You can go on living the way you are now, or you can look at the world as  an awesome and wonderful thing.  Do this at least once/week and when you are feeling down, go back and go over your lists.  It is bound to remind you that life is good, most of the time.

For another idea, start a Humor and Happiness Journal.  Write down everything that has made you laugh, whether it was watching a baby play or hearing a good clean joke.  Write down what makes you happy - a sunny day with clear blue skies, having your home organized so you can sit and relax, playing with your pet, etc.  And again, if you are feeling down, get your Humor and Hapinesss Journal out and you will be laughing in no time.

Remember, it takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown.  So smile and brighten your day and the lives of those you pass.

LIFE...It's A Wonderful Thing...if you choose for it to be!

The World is Just AWESOME - quote from the Discovery Channel