“Count your rainbows, not your thunderstorms.” (Alyssa Knight – Age 12
That little saying is sort of a take-off on an older saying, “count your blessings and not your problems”; which I could not find an attribution for, although it has been used by many writers. As I looked through many of the quotes that are similar or in which the count your blessings quote was used, it became obvious that the overriding theme 
is to be thankful for the things that we have – the blessings that we have received – and not to focus upon the thunderstorms of life, the trials and tribulations that we may have been through. A point well taken is that we are through those thunderstorms, still standing, and able to see the rainbow on the other side.
Sometimes when we have experienced saddening events, like the loss of a loved one; we wander off into the weeds for a while and focus upon the darkness of the thunderstorms, on our grief, and on our sense of loss. We allow our troubled ego’s to ask the question of God, “Why have you done this to
me?” It’s as if the death of someone else was purposely allowed to happen just to cause us pain. We may doubt God or question our faith during such times.
How can you find the
rainbows in such a situation? They are there, in the back of your mind if you just look for them. They are the memories of the good times shared with that person. They are the visions that you can conjure up and appreciate of a long life well lived or an all-too-short life that was enjoyed in what time was allotted. The rainbows flow out of your memories of the smiles of those who are no longer here but who will never leave you.
So, remember and count those rainbows, rather than focusing on the pain of their loss. If it might help to be with others who have gone through similar things and who are also seeking God’s help in dealing with it, the Milford United Methodist Church (MUNC) in Milford is holding a Blue Christmas service on Monday, December 21. The MUMC is located at 1200 Atlantic Street in Milford. Remember that rainbows are formed when the sun shines through drops of water. Let the Son shine through your tears and see the rainbow that only He can create.
For some, their time is ill spent coveting what others have, which they do not. Focusing upon what one does not have instead of enjoying and being thankful for what we do have is not a path that leads to peace and joy. It’s
certainly OK to have goals and aspirations in life and some of those may involve getting to a position where you can have certain things that you don’t now have, for instance a first home or a new car; however, not having those things right now should not be considered to be a problem or thunderstorm in your life. Rather they represent rainbows that you haven’t gotten to yet. Focus on the persistence and perseverance that you need and keep a positive attitude and you will one day see those rainbows, too.
Along the way to achieving your goals, just continue to be thankful for the
things that you do have and content with where you are at in th
at moment in your life. Remember what Clint Eastwood said, that sounds a lot like a line from one of his Dirty Harry movies – “Tomorrow is promised to no one.” Be thankful for the rainbows that you already
have in your life. And, if you get the chance, do the things that will make your memory a rainbow in someone else’s life. Have a great weekend.
Posted by Norm Werner 
ask yourself the same question as Cain did? Are you your brother’s keeper? Is it up to you to give, to volunteer, to make a difference?
and local churches provide clothing, food, shelter and services to those in
representing we the people. So it is us who are abandoning those in need when the government abandons them. If your argument is that, “government can’t afford to provide those services”; then how do expect charities to afford to do so when you abandon that responsibility? After all, charities are funded by whom – we the people.
don’t? Who will run for those offices and do that better job, if I don’t? You see, it always comes down to the individual. Who else will be inspired to take action if I don’t? Can you answer that question in your life? Do you even ask? Who will if you don’t?
Those two quotes both point to the fact that the answers we seek that lead to a sense of well-being is inside of us. We must make peace with ourselves and then we will be able to find happiness.
inward to that place in your heart where peace and happiness reside. Linger there for a while and when you return find someone else to share your peace with and let them see your happiness. Maybe that will help them find out what’s in their heart, too.
A hug instantaneously takes us back to the time when our mother’s warm embrace seemed to solve all problems, ease all pains and make all boo-boos feel better. Those hugs may even transport us back to the warm safety of the womb and all was OK again.
not be standing there in the street with a blindfold on and a sign that says “hug me”; but you can probably still identify that stressed or distressed look in their eyes that is screaming “HUG ME” just and surely as if they had that sign. Don’t avoid them. Give them that hug and an amazing thing will happen – you’ll get a hug back and your day will be letter, too.
energy flow into them. Tears may follow, or smiles; but, whatever is next is better than what was there before. Your hug has unlocked them and let them go on. Your hug has also unlocked you. Allow yourself to feel good about it. Soon you will be seeking other opportunities to hug someone, because it makes both of your day’s better.
As young children we tend to use the whole box of crayons and we don’t worry all that much about staying within the lines either. We just experience life as it comes, without prejudices or pre-conceived notions. As we get older, “adults” around us start “explaining” things to us. They give us the rules that they say we should live by. They start taking away some of our crayons. As they work to make us “safer”, things can begin to get a bit duller. There are fewer crayon colors and they are less vibrant. As time goes on, and as we add more and more rules to our lives. Things can become more shades of gray than vibrant colors. For a few, things even lose the shades and everything becomes black and white.
lack of understanding, there grows confusion and eventually fear.
decide to throw away the crayons of people who look and talk like them, but who have a different lifestyle or perhaps just a difference of religion or even politics – the picture just got even grayer. Finally they decide that things really can be defined only as right or wrong by their standards; that there is no need for shades of gray; that everything can be colored as black and white.
ethnic restaurant visit. There is art and music, literature and language, traditions and customs that all use different crayons to render life in new colors. So get out of your grey zone of comfort; break out the crayon box and use all of the colors. What you’ll discover is a beautiful rainbow of experiences and a more colorful and satisfying life.
-responders. There are always people who jump into action to help in any emergency. They may just provide welcoming and comforting arms to hug a frightened person or they may end up covered with blood as they try to help the wounded or injured. The key is that they act. They are helpers.
news. Someone comes into work the day after breaking up a relationship. You meet a homeless person on the street.An elderly neighbor slips and falls and is laid up in their home. Someone spills their drink all over themselves at a restaurant. A lady with two small children in tow is trying to load up a big box into her car. A small child waits nervously to cross a busy street. A friend confides that he/she has a terminal disease or that they have just received an eviction notice on their home.
ls0 jump in to see if there is anything that you can do, too? You will never have to think back and say I coulda, woulda, shoulda, and then feel guilty; if you do the right thing to begin with and try to help.
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