In a day and age where there is hardship and negativity almost every way we turn, it’s more important than ever to try and look on the bright side of life. I read Sound Off out of curiosity every week and it’s a rare find when someone writes a positive comment. These gems make me smile! Yes, I know there is suffering. That’s all we hear about on the news. No, the North Country is not perfect. What place is? Yet we are blessed here in ways we don’t always stop to appreciate. We live in a beautiful area abundant with brightly colored trees in autumn, winding rivers and majestic mountains. There are birds and animals to admire in my backyard. We have a wonderful, diverse population of people to meet and befriend. There are professional musical and theatrical experiences, many of them free! I am not saying that we need to ignore the evils of life. They are certainly real and we need to be aware of what’s out there. However, it won’t help anyone to dwell on these things and become bitter. If you look for the bad things in life, you will certainly find them. Look for the good in life, and you will find it as well.