Find the Postcard

“Seek and ye shall find.”

“You only find what you’re looking for, really, if the truth be known.” Mary Leaky

“You will find what you look for, so look for something wonderful.” Bryant McGill

“Be careful. You will always find what you are looking for.” Olianna Portnoy

There are countless sayings along those lines. They sound cute and cliché, but do they really mean anything?

Here’s what I know…

I’ve always loved nature, but I have been a summer person my whole life. Well, until a few years ago when I changed to spring. Why? Because summer was too close to fall which was too close to winter. I’d rather pick spring because I still have summer to look forward to instead of dreading the cold. Logical, right? Not really. It’s actually sad.

I’ve been working on my seasonal attitude the last few years and have made marked improvements, so much so that I’ve actually enjoyed getting out in the winter for a hike or run in the fresh air. Now that I am at the Warren County Visitors Bureau, I realized that I am now a “professional braggart.”

My job is literally to show how wonderful things are.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve always absolutely loved this area. I’ve lived here most of my life for a reason. But since I’ve been looking for things to market, to photograph, to brag about, my spirits have been lifted. I find myself stopping along the side of the road to get a picture frequently. I see the happy faces sitting around a restaurant table. I see the deer munching in the field. I see the trees changing color. I see the glittery snowbanks. I see the cardinal sitting on the bare branch. I see kids on the playground while their parents sit by the river’s edge.

It’s just So. Darned. Beautiful.

The snow, which once kept me inside my house under a blanket, now has me hiking through knee-deep drifts to enjoy that beautiful sparkling view. I have actually recently said that I was excited for a deep blanket of snow… and, here’s the crazy part. I truly meant it!

Here’s my advice to you---Find the postcard.

By that, I mean, look for what would make a good postcard. Take a walk in the morning and look for that happy little chipmunk hunting for acorns. Study the icicles hanging from the branches and look at the crystallized intricacy. There is beauty everywhere. Take that picture. Enjoy it throughout the day. Share it with other people.

Find the postcard.