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"What do you do when it is hard to find hope in the future?" Asked the boy.

"Whooo, Who, me?" Replied the owl.

"Yes, you." Said the boy. "Aren't you awake?"

"The sun's out, don't you see." Replied the owl in a sleepy voice. "I'm nocturnal. Which means I am awake at night."

"Right! Sorry."

"Nothing to hoot about little one." Said the owl. "But to answer your question. If times are looking gloomy, I'd take to the skies."

"I wish I could do that," said the boy, "but I hadn't got any wings."

"What I mean," replied the owl, "is to go to your happy place. Dwelling on negative thoughts does nobody any good. Instead, learning how to be joyful, even in tough times, will give you hope and help others feel happy too. I take to the skies because it lifts my spirits, it is a playground I was born to enjoy. Do what you love to do, what you were born to do, focus on what you CAN do, and the future will be less daunting and feel more hopeful."

I was recently walking along the riverside around the golden hour when I heard the familiar hooting through the forest. Not more than a couple of minutes later I found myself standing just beneath the concealed form of a great horned owl. Two of them, actually. I stood there for a long time listening to it's soothing call and observing the beautiful patterns in the feathers. Occasionally he'd turn his head 180° to look my direction, either to look at me or at some deer I accidentally startled. When he'd turn, a ray of light would catch his eyes and give them a golden glow from the midst of the silhouetted backdrop of branches. It was amazing to see to say the least! I wish I owned a good quality camera to catch those special moments. But then I think to myself, it's special because I'm not behind a camera lens. Making those connections, even for a brief glance, is an experience that lasts much longer than a photograph, personally. I was inspired to write this short story by this encounter. I hope it gives you a sense of hope and inspiration today.

My happy place is spending time in God's natural creation observing the beauty of life. Where's your happy place?