Dear Readers,
Let’s be real for a moment — life isn’t always easy. It throws curveballs when you least expect them. But here’s the thing: life is a choice. Every day you wake up, you are faced with a simple but powerful decision — will you sit on the sidelines, watching it all go by, or will you get up, dust yourself off, and get in the game?
Now, let me be clear — simply “joining life” isn’t enough. You can show up to the party, but if you’re standing in the corner with a scowl, arms crossed, what’s the point? It’s not just about being present, it’s about how you show up. The attitude you bring to life — that’s what makes all the difference.
We’ve all met people who walk around like a rain cloud, grumbling at everything and everyone. And maybe, if we’re honest, we’ve been that person a time or two. But what if instead, we chose to bring a little sunshine with us wherever we go? What if we greeted people with kindness, offered encouragement, and — here’s a crazy idea — smiled more?
Think about this: It takes less energy to be kind and uplifting than it does to walk around bitter and angry. You know how exhausting it is to carry around negativity? It weighs you down. But when you offer a helping hand, give someone a piece of advice, or simply say, “You’ve got this,” something incredible happens — you lift yourself up right along with them.
And let’s be honest — life isn’t a competition to see who can “win” while everyone else stumbles. We’ve all made mistakes. Some big, some small. But what good does it do to watch someone else trip over the same obstacles we did without saying a word? If you see someone going down a path you’ve walked before — one that ended in heartache or struggle — be the voice that says, “Hey, I’ve been there. Let me show you a better way.”
By lifting others up, we create a ripple effect that can change the world, even if it’s just one person at a time. That person you encourage today might turn around and encourage someone else tomorrow. Before you know it, you’ve started something bigger than yourself — and all you had to do was care.
You know what else? Making a new friend doesn’t cost a thing. Being kind costs nothing, and yet the value it brings is priceless. You never know whose life you might change simply by being the person who says, “I believe in you.”
So, as you read through this issue, as you go about your day, I challenge you to think about the choices you’re making. Are you sitting in the stands, arms folded, judging the game? Or are you on the field, playing full out — not just for yourself, but for the people around you?
Be the person who claps when someone else scores. Be the one who picks up a teammate who fell down. Be the reason someone else keeps going when they felt like giving up.
Because here’s the secret: when you choose to live life with a positive attitude, when you choose kindness, support, and encouragement — you’ll find that happiness is a whole lot easier to carry around than anger or regret.
So, get out there. Join life. And don’t just join — shine.
