Wednesday, December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Illustration by Claire Overcash, age 10

In this season of “peace on earth and goodwill to man,” we are often reminded of how hard it is to do exactly that – to see the good in our lives and especially, to see the good in others. Many years ago, I was blessed to work with a colleague who graced and inspired me with his gift of “finding the good.”

In response to the often “autopilot” daily greeting, “Hey. How’re you doing?” Quincy’s unfailing and joy-filled answer was, “If I were any better, I’d be twins!” And he meant it every time. USAF Col. (Ret) Quincy Collins had endured 7 ½ years as a POW in Vietnam, much of that in the horrific “Hanoi Hilton,” by focusing on something good in each day and by searching for something good in those he encountered. Often this focus on “the good,” was all he, and the fellow POWs he inspired daily, had to keep them going; and Quincy has continued to live by this rule throughout his extraordinary life.

Quincy has the uncanny gift of seeing the silver lining, finding the positive, and relentlessly sharing joy. He believes that everyone and everything possesses a uniquely beautiful or positive attribute, and his personal mission is to find it. For example, a person judged to be “unattractive” by society’s standards might have the most beautiful eyes or the loveliest voice, and a frustrating situation (or person) always has some value or some lesson to teach. Oh, that we could all embody and express this level of “finding the good” every day; our lives and the lives around us would be so enriched.

Thank you, Father, for the countless blessings you have bestowed upon us, both seen and unseen. Grant us the strength to see the goodness in each person we meet, to look beyond differences and judgments. In a world clouded by negativity, grant us the clarity to see the brightness that exists within it. Help us be beacons of hope, spreading kindness and positivity wherever we go. Amen.

Gayle Ireland