Finding the Blessings in Today's Trying Times

It's not easy to be optimistic given the state of affairs in the world today. Problems run the gamut - from economic to environmental crises, incompetent and corrupt leaders, education systems in need of a major overhaul and numerous health epidemics. It would be much easier to harp on the negative aspects of living than to search for the bright spots. However, even in today's trying times, there are blessings to be enjoyed - blessings that can help us to re-evaluate our priorities and appreciate what's most important in our lives.

When Associated Content Producer Momie Tullottes began to call our attention to the steady stream of children's toy recalls not long ago, it seemed as though it were unsafe to buy just about any toy for a child without first doing significant research on its contents and safety. While toy recalls are never a good thing, they can and sometimes do challenge parents to think about other ways to entertain their children and help them occupy their free time - from working together on arts and crafts, to reading together and even making up simple games to play that require no money at all. Of course, no company that manufactures toys (or store that sells them) would ever want consumers to think that their children could probably do without 50% or more of the toys that they have and still enjoy their childhood. Nevertheless, when most of us who are adults reflect on the fun we had as children, we are less focused on the toys we played with and more focused on the people whose company we enjoyed and the quality time we had with them..

Toy recalls are probably lower on the scale of crises than the skyrocketing gas prices these days, which brings me to my next point. The price of gasoline is ridiculously high at the present time and expected to get even higher. And for that reason, many people are choosing to stay at home when they do not have to get to and from work or run necessary errands. Staying at home - particularly when you have a family - can be a good thing, especially if the time at home is used purposefully. Most children appreciate being able to spend more time with their parents. And while at home, parents often become more aware of just how much their presence and involvement means to their kids. Face-to-face conversations that family members might not otherwise have can take place because people are actually present to have them. The high price of gas - though something we hope will not last - challenges us to think twice before taking an unnecessary trip and think more about how our time could better be spent.

There are other examples of problems that most or all of us are confronted with, but even these can yield blessings along the way, One such problem is poor leadership, which prompts us to focus less on externals such as race, political affiliation or the gift of gab and focus more on substance, character and the actual ability to lead our companies, organizations, churches, government offices and our country effectively. There are signs everywhere that what have appeared to be two dying values for the past several years - integrity and merit - are now slowly re-emerging as areas of concern. Then there are the health-related issues that prompt us to make better, wiser decisions about the food we put on the table and into our bodies and focus on building genuine relationships instead of partaking in risqué activities for the sheer (and fleeting) pleasure of it all.

Yes, things are bad in the world today and there is much room for improvement. But sometimes things have to get really bad for people to pay attention to the good.