a Thimble or Bucket; Proper Perspective

In the 2002 version of The Count of Monte Cristo, there is a scene toward the beginning where Fernand (Edmond, the main character,'s "best friend") is telling Mercedes (the woman Edmond is with and wants to marry) that she should sleep with him and Edmond will never know. She refuses him and when he persists, her response is to reference to Edmond's birthday when they were kids. "Edmond got a whistle for his birthday and you got a new pony, but you were mad because he was so much happier with his whistle than you were with your pony," Then she matter of factly states, "I'm not going to be your next whistle."

I can so relate to Edmond's mentality as described here; happy with whatever he's given, to the point that others become jealous of the joy in him.

What a silly thing jealousy is. It effectively blinds you to your own blessings and poisons relationships to boot.

Life is what you make of it. You have this incredible God-given ability to choose what you will do, say, think and more.

My pastor says, "Some people come to the ocean of God's love with a thimble. I want to be someone who brings a bucket!" or something like that, and I love it! You choose how to do or not do life and the measure you use will be measured back to you, to overflowing! 

The incessant whining about what you "Don't have" or what you'll "Never get to do" will only leave you depressed and highly negative. 

Rather, take a moment to reflect on all the positive aspects to your life; what you Do Have and are blessed to be a part of!

A goal I began striving for long ago is to spend at minimum, 15 of the 1,440 minutes of my day saying under my breath, "Thank you Lord for..., Thank you Father for..., Thank you Jesus for..., Thank you...," it fosters a joy in my heart that cannot be quenched!

Yes, some will despise your green lawn, while theirs withers for lack of water, but water it anyway. Fill up that bucket with some good ole love. Open your eyes to see what good the father has in store for you, then see how much more he has!

Always face the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind

~may the joy in you provoke others to jealousy, so they'll seek out your source and find Jesus!
Delanie