Wise words for the day

From Proverbs 15:15

All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

The interpretation in my bible says:

Our attitudes color our whole personality. We cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can choose our attitude toward each situation. The secret to a happy heart is filling our mind with thoughts that are true, pure, and lovely, with thoughts that dwell on the good things in life (Philippians 4:8). This was Paul’s secret as he faced imprisonment, and it can be ours as we face the struggles of daily living. Look at your attitudes and then examine what you allow to enter your mind and what you choose to dwell on. You may need to make some changes.

This passage reminded me of a photo that I took in Africa back in 2000. There were these two young boys…probably 11 or 12 years old that were walking down the street with their arms around each other. They were sharing a pair of rusted out roller skates. The wheels didn’t turn anymore and they each had one skate on, but they were laughing and giggling the whole time. They could have easily been upset that the skates didn’t work anymore, or they could have been like a lot of kids and fight over who gets to wear them. This photo has always been a reminder for me of making the most of what you have and finding pleasure in EVERYTHING.