On Top of the World

As I see it, there are many things to keep us down in the deep, dark cave of despondency when  we should be feeling on top of the world. No, I’m not talking about putting on rose-colored glasses or ignoring reality; in fact, I’m talking about brushing away the cobwebs and being able to clearly see all we have going for us. Some burdens cannot be cast off but neither must they crush us.

Sometimes, it is easier to remain down and just sort of slosh around in a dreary and dark pool. It’s safe; it’s familiar, and it is not fraught with the possibility of trying to climb to new heights and failing. However, feeling hopeless, helpless, and wrapped in gloom will not get us up the mountain.

“I’ll never accomplish anything,” an ugly little voice whispers in our ears. “Everybody else gets all the breaks; not me.” Or, the worst one of all, “I’m not good enough or worthy enough or talented enough.”

Sometimes the past is a heavy weight that is hard to shake off. Old sins, old wrongs, old hurts and old failures are always lurking in the shadows of our minds. Why is that? With so many good and happy moments in life, why do those less than stellar ones rise to the top of our thoughts? Why can we not remember, “Every day is a new beginning, every morning is the world made new”? (old poem)

It sounds simplistic but this works for me: when negative or accusing or dismal thoughts intrude, I imagine myself closing a door on them and shouting, “No.” Try it.

Never has this earth known another you. You have unique talents and gifts and abilities that God gave to nobody else. Your dreams are worthwhile, your efforts are not useless. You, the individual, are important. Take a deep breath, look up, and by God’s grace, cast off the weights that hold you down. On top of the world is an exhilarating place to be.