It's a Plane! It's Superman, No It's Geese in V Formation!

Do you wonder why geese fly in a "V" formation? They fly in a V formation to help one another. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates strength for the bird closely following. The flock of birds gains greater flying strength by flying together, because each goose gets help from the previous one. And they do not get as tired flying in a group. They also encourage each other by their honking. What a lesson we can all learn from watching a flock of geese in flight!

In the seventeenth century, poet Thomas Stanley wrote his definition of success: "To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; this is to have succeeded."

If we make it our goal to live lives of caring, compassion, and unconditional love, the world then becomes an opportunity to create joy. A great friend reminded me of a saying: "I went outside to find a friend and could not find one there. I went outside to be a friend and friends were everywhere." Let us bring our own individual sunshine wherever we go.

With a smile, stop for a moment and hold the door open for the person behind you. And do more than take bouquets of flowers to patients in a hospital. Sit down, take their hand, and say a prayer with them for a quick recovery.

Maybe you can mentor a young person, be a loyal friend, or volunteer for a worthy cause. Perhaps it's offering an inspiring word or letting someone know you believe in him or her. Give a genuine compliment, a smile, and a word of praise to those you meet along the way. Focus on the positive. Say something especially nice to the checkout person at the grocery store. Offer to carry a senior's groceries to his or her car.

Every day, let us show sincere love and appreciation to those around us, for that is what God wants us to do. God uses us to carry out His will, and one of the closest things to God's own heart is our acts of helping one another, for we are all His children.

We can never do wrong by being good to others. Therefore, let us choose to focus on the theme Live to Give. Each morning, ask God to direct you to someone who needs your encouragement or assistance. Declare today, "I will be a light for others, and when they come into contact with me, I will do whatever I can to brighten their day."

Give anything and everything, whether it is time, money, a prayer, a hug, or a considerate word. It doesn't matter what the gift is; what matters is how much of ourselves goes into what we give.

Look around you, and you'll find that there's a wonderful source of goodness in the universe, for we have been chosen to speak the reassuring word, to solve the problem, and to soothe the soul. True caring, kindheartedness, and love never fail. We may not see it outwardly or instantaneously, but a tiny seed of the love of God within us has been sown, and it will reap a great transformation, turning our lives and the lives of others into a beautiful, blessed experience.

Today's Tip: Return your shopping cart to the return cart area and make someone's job of bringing them in for the convenience of the shoppers that much easier!