Stand Up Strong

Many times through out our lifetime we are tested to the point that we think that there is no more strength left in us. I am always amazed that as tired and exhausted as we may have fallen asleep as a result of one's circumstance, with the morning sun comes some energy that we did not know was still in us, as you hear the early chirping of the birds singing a new song for the day to come.  When I walk out of the house at the beginning of the day, I usually listen intently and try to be as observant as possible in what my eyes take in and what my ears can hear. I try to keep my thoughts centered on being grateful as I say a prayer acknowledging that I am still here, as I open up my mind to the harmonious sounds that seem to be orchestrated by nature around me.  I usually drive by the same places through the same path on my way to work, however, I always look for something new that catches my attention while I am en route.  With the changing days and years, every little thing around us that has life in it changes along with us.  Similar to how we all pay attention when we look at ourselves in the mirror in the morning and notice new wrinkles that were not there previously or perhaps your hair turning a different shade of color, none of us is immune to this occurrence.  What I appreciate is that I have lived long enough to be able to sustain these changes and I think about the many who did not have the privilege that we sometimes take for granted.  Our path to where we are today and where we came from is always interesting to reflect upon as well.  When I think about my childhood and what I said I wanted to be when I grew up or where I wanted to live, my recollection of that visualization is not necessarily where I am today.  As much as I enjoy where I happen to be today, I could not have conceived of a lot of this in my youth.  It is very interesting to be a witness to all of this as we could not have written it as a story or a great movie with all of the twists and turns that happen throughout our lifetime.  What I do know is that through every different challenge or new era that I came upon, I had the fortitude and strength to survive and be able to tell the story later.  We all have great strength in us that was inherited or developed as we transitioned from youth to adults.  The great legacy of survival is to not only overcome a challenge, but also to become even stronger as a result.  With our ability to continue to learn from any error that we experience, we are usually able to figure out a better equation to the potential problems that existed.  So, what will our legacy be as a result of this great growth?  Well that answer lies in all of us, as we continue to unravel and develop further and we simplify what the true meaning of life means to us.  Remember that you are still standing as a result of what you have learned and even if you take an occasional tumble, you are capable of dusting yourself off and getting back on the right path with an even stronger outlook and determination.  While we don't know what exactly lies in our future, we can be firm in our belief that we will continue to remain standing strong as we continue to persevere in our efforts to reach our ultimate destiny.