Story goes that not so long ago a group of researchers came together to study how kids respond to odd situations. The first study subject was a little boy about the age of seven. He went into the large, empty room and in the middle of the floor was a pile of fresh horse manure. With a disgusted face, he grabbed the pointer from the chalkboard and started poking at the droppings. “Peeeee-uuuw!” he exclaimed standing up and running around the room. “What are you trying to do to me, sticking me in this place with a stinky pile of horse doody? Get me out of here!” Soon after, a little girl also about seven years of age was brought in. When she saw the pile of manure, she smiled widely and with a running start dove into the mess headfirst. “Yippee!” she said covered in filth. “Whoo-hoo…this is so awesome!” Fascinated with her reaction, the scientists ran in the room and asked, “Why are you so happy?” Her answer: “Well, with all this horse poop, there has to be a pony in here somewhere!”

While I can’t say I’d ever be thrilled about being stuck in a room full of horse chips, this story can teach us a great deal about the power of a positive paradigm. Life is full of “poopy” circumstances and obstacles that may, at times, seem unfair and far from ideal. Those challenges may look like the loss of a job, poor health and array of other things. But like the little girl, having a positive paradigm about our situation can make all the difference. Recognize that while things may look grim, there is always a silver lining to our situation if we allow ourselves to be tutored by every life experience – good or bad. It takes conscious effort to learn from the rocky parts of our journey. Yet, it isn’t the hand we’re dealt that will make life joyful and successful; it is how we respond to the cards we’re given. The willpower to choose how we react to our circumstances is the greatest gift given to mankind.

My challenge to you is to look for  the “pony” in your days and you will be empowered to rise above adversity and success and joy will naturally follow.