I had a chance to see the animated movie ‘Up’ a couple nights ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. It had a lot of great humor in it and was very well written. Without giving too much of it away, it is the story of a boy who meets a girl. She is a girl full of life and adventure. He is instantly attracted to her and mesmerized by her dreams. In fact, they promise each other as little kids (and cross their hearts!) to go on a great adventure together.

Well, they marry and have kids and have financial problems and have more kids and have health problems and…you get the idea. They never do go on that great adventure together. From time to time you see the boy (now a grown man) look off in wonder and disappointment that they never did it. She eventually dies and he is left to a life of anger and even more disappointment. He takes it out on everyone that comes in his path and he begins to squander his life away.

Eventually he makes a wonderful discovery that changes his perspective in an instant. And he suddenly realizes that you don’t have to go away to a certain place in order to live a life of adventure. You can live that life of adventure wherever you are. Realizing that it is not too late, he embarks on his.

Many of you are facing things in your life right now that threaten to take away your life of adventure. The default answer to that is the current economic situation that affects us all. But it could be health, relationships…this world is filled with opportunities (excuses) for you to pack it in and give up on your dreams.

Don’t do it. Hang onto whatever dreams are in your heart and don’t let them be stolen away. In the middle of whatever circumstances you are in look for that silver lining that will build more character into you and make the culmination of your dreams even more satisfying. Keep looking ‘Up’!!