Is There Really A Pot of Gold At The End Of The Rainbow?

I recently got back from a wonderful week away. It was a much needed time of relaxation and rejuvination in a world that has not been very kind in the past year and a half. The one thing that happens with relaxation periods for me, is I get a huge chunk of time to think. While thinking itself is not a bad problem to have, it can be when you start to get into your own head and take on the worlds problems as your own. 

We saw a lot of homelessness and people that you could tell were drug addicts just looking for that next score. It broke my heart so see people begging on the corners and while I couldn’t possibly help everyone there was one gentelman in particular that stood out to me. He had no legs and was wheelchair bound. He was digging in the garbage looking for a scrap to eat. He wasn’t begging for money, he wasn’t asking for any kind of help. He was just looking for his next bit of food. As we passed by I watched as he continued to dig. He finally found a half eaten hamburger, some french fries and part of a drink. He clung to them, smiled and said out loud “today is a great day, look at this treasure!”

When I got back to our room that night I was deep in thought. How could something so small be considered a treasure? We, in society take so much for granted about what we think we deserve or how we view success or failure. I have so much in life and he had so little, yet he felt like he was the richest man on earth in that moment.  It humbled me and gave me reason to re-assess where I place my own values in life. What is my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

While a large number of peope won’t agree with me, this is what my treasure is. It’s knowing I make a difference in this world for the better. That when someone meets me along the way, the moments we shared were positive and not negative. It means not judging people for any number of reasons people get judged. It’s means being accepting of everyone in this world and trying to do what I can to stop the hate and exclusion. It means helping where I can with what I can, be it time, or contributions or even just prayer. It’s family and friends,those people in our life that are positive influences and guides to help us along the way, yet still support and love us when we falter. It’s the love of a good soul mate in this world. That one person that “gets” you no matter what. It means spreading joy and positivity in my social media and not being a part of the hatred and anger and name calling. It means showing respect to others that might be different from me in their looks, their faith, their orientation or political affiliation. 

The next time you have a moment to yourself to just think, consider what in your life is that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and celebrate it!