To keep up a hopeful spirit as one journey’s through their life’s story is remarkable. Our world can seem so troubled or hopeless at times. It might appear that our dreams will never become realities. And our realities can be full of sadness. We ought not give in to despair as our destination.

Over half of my life ago I decided to be a joyful man. As a teenager I experienced tremendous sorrow at times as I dealt with undiagnosed mental illness. Bipolar, however, did not get the final line of the story. No, it certainly did not.

As a young boy I knew great joy and happiness. Looking back I know my heart was in the proper place. Honestly, I believe I was born big-hearted. This current day and all my days going forward, and many days before today, I aim to think with my heart instead of my…