FINDING THE GOOD

I was reflecting on what's been going on in the world today due to the current circumstances with the pandemic.  I don't want to give the impression that I think this is a good thing, however I try to find something at least a little positive in any given situation if I can.  It feels better to do it that way.  When there are unfamiliar and scary things that happen around us, it's easy to only focus on that.  Not so good because then we miss so much of the goodness that also exists in our world.

While I was thinking,  Forrest Fenn's memoir "The Thrill of the Chase" came to mind.  If you have not heard of it, you may find it intriguing.  It's not just a memoir.  Within the book there are also clues to help find his buried treasure.  I'm serious.  There's a real treasure out there waiting to be found someplace along the Rocky Mountains and if you can find it, it's yours.  It's rumored to be worth at least a million dollars and could be worth much more.  There have been thousands of people that have devoted many hours in the hunt for the treasure, as well as some tragic accidents that occurred during their search.

However, I'm sure that was never Forrest Fenn's intent.  He's encourages everyone to take precautions and stay safe.  You may be wondering what his motives were for hiding the treasure and what it has to do with what's going on in the world today.  

He first launched the search in 2010 during The Great Recession.  It seems he wanted to give people some hope and something to believe in.

He is quoted in an article from Business Insider:

"I wanted to give the kids something do do,   They spend too much time in the game room or playing with their handheld texting machines.  I hope parents will take their children camping and hiking in the Rocky Mountains.  I hope they will fish, look for fossils, turn rotten logs over to see what's under them and look for my treasure."

We as humans like to make sense of things.  We like to find reason and use logic to explain what we don't understand.  We may never fully understand why things happen the way they do.  What if we never find a valid reason for the loss we've experienced and how it's affected our families, jobs and economy?  What if there is a reason that serves as the greater purpose for our universe that we will never see or understand?  I guess it boils down to some kind of faith in that possibility.  The harsh cold reality could just be that it was meant to happen simply because it did.

Here are a few of the positive things I've noticed or experienced recently:

We band together during tragic times to help one another.

People have become extremely creative whether it be working from home for the first time or celebrities providing streaming entertainment for their own homes at no cost.

I've had more time with my husband than ever before (some may not think this is a good thing but it's not been too painful for us).

I've had the time to take long walks with my dog.  I've noticed people are getting outside, especially families together more than ever before.

Projects are getting done at home.

I've been able to see and hear the birds in the morning which is something I love.

I've not been spending 2 to 3  hours every work day in my car and have saved a ton of money on gas and tolls.

It's a matter of shifting your perspective.

What if there is a force out there telling us it's time to slow down a bit and forcing us to take the time to appreciate some of the simple things.  The world has changed and it will continue to change.  It has been evolving since the beginning of time.  During a time like this when we all have concerns about the state of the economy, our future and even loss, it feels good to take just a moment to look for some good.

Any good is better than none.  Maybe there's a hidden treasure someplace close to you.  Keep on searching and you may just find it.

Until next time,

Lisa J.

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