Today in Google, I entered the search phrase “why do we need rain” and got a return of 1,210,000,000 or one billion two hundred and ten million, results. Do not worry, I am not going to talk about all of them here. I thought I would highlight something I found fascinating.

On Thursday, Thanksgiving, I commented to my wife that when I see lots of rain, I think of abundance. A pouring came to mind because the day was rainy. Most of the reasons given in the results I reviewed for why we need rain were for survival – of humans, animals, and plants (Why Do We Need Rain?). Interestingly, other reasons noted were demand, or to provide water for a growing population, and agriculture, or to expand the food supply (8 Reasons We Need Rain). In other words, rain showers give us the essential water needed to survive as well as the means to create an abundance of certain resources.

Have you ever felt like it is raining woes in your life? Is it possible that you need those showers to survive as well as thrive? You may say, “I would prefer a life without woes” and who would not? But could you become stronger and wiser without difficulty? Can you reach your next level without that additional strength and wisdom?

James Clear in Atomic Habits suggested changing the perspective of your nuances from “I have to do” to “I get to do.” With this shift in perspective, you can more easily perceive that there is or can be some benefit to the challenges, which occur from one day to the next. Those drips can turn into abundant showers of something meaningful.

Dr. Joe Dispenza in Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself teaches that our thoughts create our reality. So, it follows that we can create the trickle and the showers we desire in our lives, with God’s help.

It is so important that we dwell on appropriate thoughts that scripture advises us in Philippians 4:18 to think on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, of excellence and praiseworthy. Imagine the type of showers that dwelling on such thoughts could manifest in your life!

Henry Smith wrote a song entitled, “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart” that goes,

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One;
give thanks, because he’s given
Jesus Christ, his Son.
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One;
give thanks, because he’s given
Jesus Christ, his Son.

And now let the weak say ‘I am strong’,
let the poor say ‘I am rich’,
because of what the Lord has done for us;
and now let the weak say ‘I am strong’,
let the poor say ‘I am rich’,
because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks…

We all have much to be grateful for. In fact, Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 advises, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Imagine a holiday called “Thanksgiving.” This seems to emphasize that we should designate time for pause to be grateful. But do not pause just today. Make it a daily habit to recognize things and people for whom you should be thankful.

Today among the many of those I am grateful for are my bride – today marks our 15-year wedding anniversary – my family, my home and you, my listening audience. I wish you and your families a blessed and fulfilled Thanksgiving!

What is your favorite scripture?

On Friday, my wife and I attended our small group meeting for couples. Toward the beginning, each person was asked to share their favorite scripture. There were two which stood out for me. One was from Zechariah 4:6,

Then He said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of armies.

The other one was from Psalm 34:8,

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Here is another one of my favorites, found in Proverbs 3:5-6,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight.

The first is teaching that it does not matter how much of your strength you use, God determines the outcome. This is reassuring because I can believe that after I have done my part God will do the rest.

The second is encouraging you to try and experience God’s goodness for yourself. Those who take refuge in Him not their accomplishments, education, or resources, are blessed because of it.

The third one is advising you to trust God even when it does not make sense – the three Hebrew boys before the fiery furnace did; the Israelites before crossing the Red Sea did; Daniel before the Lion’s Den did.

What is your favorite scripture?

This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

You can position your posture to maintain power throughout your day and thereby make it lovely no matter what happens.

Then I look at you
And the world’s alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it’s gonna be
A lovely day

Song Lovely Day by Bill Withers

There are times when you awake, and you spring out of bed. If you haven’t tried it yet, you should put it on your bucket list. Other times you reluctantly roll out because you are dreading the day. The key is starting with the right mindset to maximize your probability of experiencing a lovely day.

Can’t nothing, bring me down
My level’s too high to bring me down
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy

Song Happy by Pharrell Williams

Happiness then is not a moment in time but a state of mind. Isn’t that lovely?

In Tiny Habits, BJ Fogg advises that when your feet touch the floor from your bed in the morning, say, “It is going to be a good day.” He found that his good days outweigh his not so good ones.

Tony Robbins practices priming in the morning to set his intention properly for the day ahead. Now it has become customary practice for him to have a lovely day.

For all the reasons you may be irritated, there is another side for which you can be thankful or that serves your benefit. You may not see it immediately sometimes, but that other good side does exist. This is the concept of Yin and Yang. By purposefully vectoring your thoughts early toward having a lovely day you are more likely to perceive the diamond in the rough of your situation. You may think you are predisposed to seeing the glass as half empty, but it can still be seen as half-full – even if it is with air. Can you see that it is possible to find what is good? It may not always be easy, but it is possible.

Say it with me, “It is going to be a good day!”

The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10

Two of my fondest memories from being on active duty in the military were one, when I was sent to South Africa on a peace-keeping mission with other militaries from around the world and two, when I served in the Honor Guard.

In Africa it was fascinating to see how service members from other countries regarded America as the greatest military force. In the Honor Guard, among other assignments, I ceremoniously handed folded flags to survivors of deceased service members. It was a stirring opportunity to honor those who paid the ultimate price while defending our country.

My travel in the military in part caused me to realize how much we sometimes take our freedoms for granted.

Today I honor those who served and those still serving in defending our freedoms.

Happy Veterans Day!