I know it has been a while, and I am sure all the people who used to follow this are all gone, but I just thought I would try again.

Went to a high school graduation last night.  It had the usual boring speakers and speeches, but something one of the graduates had under her bio stood out.  It was what she called her personal motto.  I am not sure how much she actually believes it, or if she just liked the sound of it, but to me, it really touched me.

"Do not cry because it is over, but smile because it happened."

She was talking about being in high school, of course, but it applies to so many things.

At my age, there have been multiple chapters of my life that have ended.  Some of them badly.  Still, all the experiences led to the place I am now, and without any one of them I would be somewhere else, and there is no where else I would rather be than right here.

I began to think about that.  Ya know, those good times that you didn't want to end.  Or perhaps a loved one that passed on.  For example, I still become deeply sad about the passing of my grandfather because I feel I could have been around him more than I was.  However, when I start to think of his life, the things he taught me, the crazy things he did, I can't help but smile because I was there to see and hear these things.

Though the statement focusses on something ending, it helps us live in the present by keeping us focussed on positive things.  Take the time to realize that here and now, God has a destiny for you.  A reason for you to be.  The things that have gone before are, in fact, gone.  They cannot be brought back.  Smile at the good things that have happened, then step forward...toward the prize.  Struggle and fight for nothing more than to see Him smile.