Finding What You Seek; The Two Travelers and the Farmer

Can you control your attitude and mood in a given situation? Is happiness a condition of your environment or can you decide to be happy? Happiness and a good attitude is a choice and it comes from deliberate thoughts and actions. Our very lives are fashioned by choice. First we make choices. Then are choices make us. ~ Anne Frank The following is a great story about finding what you seek. A traveler came upon an old farmer hoeing in his field beside the road. Eager to rest his feet, the wanderer hailed the countryman, who seemed happy enough to straighten his back and talk for a moment. "What sort of people live in the next town?" asked the stranger. "What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer, answering the question with another question. "They were a bad lot. Troublemakers all, and lazy too. The most selfish people in the world, and not a one of them to be trusted. I'm happy to be leaving the scoundrels." "Is that so?" replied the old farmer. "Well, I'm afraid that you'll find the same sort in the next town. Disappointed, the traveler trudged on his way, and the farmer returned to his work. Some time later another stranger, coming from the same direction, hailed the farmer, and they stopped to talk. "What sort of people live in the next town?" he asked. "What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer once again. "They were the best people in the world. Hard working, honest, and friendly. I'm sorry to be leaving them." "Fear not," said the farmer. "You'll find the same sort in the next town." Dan Miller wrote a compilation of inspirational stories and quotes called The Rudder of the Day. He believes that the first hour after you wake up will set the tone for the rest of your day. It is your choice to start the day with news that will bring you down. then rush out the door and cuss traffic. Or, you can begin your day with a quiet time, read the bible and something positive. Find things in your life to be grateful. It never hurts to have a good laugh and smile at people you meet during the day. I do not deny the reality of my situation. I deny the finality of it. This too shall pass. ~ Andy Andrews from Mastering The Seven Decisions What good things are you expecting in your life? You can start today. Have a great week! Pierce