and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to
order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude
makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and
creates a vision for tomorrow." Gratitude, no matter how
dark and difficult life may be, can transform dismay into
delight.
4. Look for the light. "Light is above us, and color around
us; but if we have not light and color in our eyes, we shall
not perceive them outside us," noted Johann Wolfgang
von Goethe. Even in the deepest darkness, keep an eye
out for glimpses of light.
5. Learn the lesson. The deepest life learning often takes
place in the darkest life places. There's always a lesson
that can be gleaned out of a hard time.
6. Be a victor, not a victim. The distinction between these
two is simple: a victim blames; a victor learns. A victim
is passive; a victor is active. A victim becomes hesitant
and timid; a victor becomes bold and courageous. "The
greatest gift we've been given is our minds," says Dave
Denniston, a motivational speaker and Paralympic swim-
mer, "The sooner you focus on the positive, the happier
you'll be. Focus on what you can do; don't get wrapped
up in what you can't do," he adds.
Victor Parachin resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is a minister, a
journalist, and the author of a dozen books.
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