“A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

Proverbs 15:13

As a person who loves being outdoors, I must admit, being alone in the wilderness is an addiction of mine. May I also add, dark roast coffee and coconut cream pie to my area of weakness. I love the fresh air and the freedom to explore. I just enjoy the many beauties of surrounding myself in nature. I find that inner peace and I instantly recharge.

As mid-late fall approaches and my work schedule typically lightens up, I look forward to solitude in the wilderness. When I am farthest away from the rest of the world, I feel the closest to God. I have that opportunity to reflect on the year and I just start thanking God for everything that he has done in my life and the people I have had the pleasure of knowing. My Grandpa Orf was one of my best friends, and I think about him every day. Grandpa and I spent a  lot of time together in the woods. One of his strengths was finding the positive note in every situation. We all watched his health slowly decline, but that didn’t sour his attitude. Even 2 weeks before his passing, he told my dad he figured he only had 5 years left. It just seemed that no matter how grim things looked to him, he always chose the road of positivity. He had inner peace with God and that is why he was always so positive. He was a great example in my life and I want to take that with me during my time on this earth. When I’m alone, especially in the wilderness, I remind myself every day, good or bad, to always play the positive card no matter what is in front of me.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the many blessings. Help me to always be thankful and keep a positive attitude no matter what happens in life. When I get to a low point, remind me  to be thankful for what I still have. If that doesn’t work, please send someone in my life to remind me to keep my chin up. As my grandpa would say, “onward and upward.” Amen.