MIDWEEK MESSAGE – January 22, 2025

So often in life, we label things as good or bad, but how can we be sure what is truly good? Our perception is frequently clouded by our personal preferences rather than objective truth.

That’s because many of our judgments are influenced by our personal preferences. How we view things determines whether we consider them good or bad and can also affect our happiness. 

The other day, I was talking to someone who said they didn’t like winter and wished it would end. They mentioned that everyone wants winter to be over. It’s cold and gray, the days are short, and it’s harder to be outside doing the things we enjoy. 

However, not everyone wants winter to end. Certainly, drivers with snowplows on their trucks wouldn’t prefer a warm, short winter since their livelihood depends on snow. All the ski resorts and those who enjoy skiing, skating, and other winter sports also don’t desire a brief or warm winter. 

There’s a pond near my home, and I love driving by to see everyone playing hockey or figure skating and having a great time. Just because we may not like something doesn’t mean others don’t appreciate it. We are not the judges or juries of what is good or bad in this world. 

There are various ways to perceive things, and once we recognize that our perspective isn’t the only valid one, we can release our expectations of how the world should be based on our desires and accept it as it is.

Quote of the Week

At any moment, we can see through the eyes of appreciation or criticism. And we will see more of whatever we are focusing on. We master the game of life by finding good wherever we look. And there is a lot of good to he found.”

Alan H. Cohen 

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