Mindset Matters: 5 Days of Inspiration for Positive and Optimistic ThinkingSample

I recently celebrated a milestone birthday. My wife gave me a very special gift. A trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy. I had always wanted to visit and now I finally had the opportunity. It did not disappoint. Rarely can something live up to such high expectations, but this trip did.

On my birthday, we toured all around the coast, stopping at various beautiful sights. Places I had seen in pictures were even more stunning in person. That night we had dinner on a cliff overlooking the sea. We sat at the corner table and the food and view were incredible.

My favorite food is pizza, and it was invented in nearby Naples. I had the most delicious pizza of my life – four times. I also love ice cream and the best I’ve ever had is in Italy. I had it four times as well.

We toured the ancient ruins of Pompeii, hiked to the top of Mount Vesuvius, and took a boat ride to the island of Capri. We visited some truly romantic places and enjoyed it all. Every day was another adventure and a memorable experience.

The trip was almost perfect but not quite. We went on a tour with electric bicycles and had an accident. We were going down a hill and my wife ran into the back of my bike, causing both of us to crash. We got pretty banged up with cuts and bruises.

But it could have been so much worse. There were no broken bones and no hospital visits. I hit my head on a rock, but I was wearing a helmet, so it spared me from serious injury. Even that experience is a memory that we will talk about for years to come.

I'll always remember that trip. And I should. Memories are what make life special, it's the unique experiences that we remember most. In 1 Samuel 7:12, it says, “After the battle, Samuel set up a monument between Mizpah and the rocky cliffs. He named it ‘Help Monument’ to remind Israel how much the Lord had helped them.”

God wants us to remember his many blessings in our lives. We need to create memories that are like a monument reminding us of unforgettable moments and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. And never forget how God has helped us and provided for us.

Life is an adventure to be lived with joy and gratitude. Don't just want great memories - make great memories. And always remember it is God who blesses you with the opportunities.