One of the commonly used personality tests classifies people who like to have fun as “Yellow”.  I don’t see myself buying a yellow car or even having a personalized license plate.  No surprise that I came up with a big zero on the yellow category of the personality test when I took it years ago.  Yet, I love to see the fun expressed by other people, the seemingly frivolous that brings a smile to the heart.  In recent years I feel I am making slow progress in bringing yellow into my life.  For me this has been more of a change of mindset and perception rather than seeking grand events and exensive pursuits.  I appreciate people who are yellow.

Even in the high desert of the Las Vegas valley, we experience beautiful landscapes.  As I drove home from church today, I went through Desert Shores and came across this pleasant scene.  I need to take time to appreciate the simple pleasures that surround me each day.  

Some science-based professionals have a hard time seeing the hand of God in daily life. Yet as a physician, I find the actual healing of the body a miracle. Sure we can set bones and approximate wounds but how does the actual healing take place? Every winter I get these fissures on my fingers. Then they heal without a trace of abnormality. How does the body know how to perfectly mend these tissues together? How does it know how to get the various layers just right? How does it know when the healing process is done? I am thankful for the miracle of healing.

In recent years, I have often experienced a sweet feeling of gratitude as I stroll through the aisles of a grocery store or a department store.  Perhaps it is the quiet, unencumbered moments in the store that allow my mind to more fully appreciate some of life’s simple blessings.  In those moments, I feel grateful to be able to walk, grateful to have time to shop, grateful to have the means to provide, and grateful for a moment of relative solitude.  Although not a shopper at heart, for some reason shopping brings me feelings of gratitude.  

I am grateful for our dentist.  We met Danny Ripplinger DDS when we first moved to town in 1988. He has been a kind and loyal friend since then.  His dentistry skills are excellent and he and his staff are always fun and interesting. I appreciate Danny very much.