We are blessed!

Driving through our community over the last couple of weeks surveying the damage resulting from the recent ice storm I saw so much more than fallen limbs. I was struck by how much pride so many of our citizens have in their property, as block by block and down most every street were houses adorned with lights and Christmas cheer. Nice homes in every block with two or three cars parked out front, so many blessings, so much prosperity. In our society it can be easy to start believing the negative, start listening to the bickering, or be drawn into thinking the worst of our neighbors. When limbs were down all over it would have been easy to focus only on the disaster, but when I chose to look past the mess I was able to see the beauty and pride that was all around the problem.

My point today as we approach the end of one year and look into the next is that we all should spend more time in 2008 focused on the good. When we allow ourselves to take our eyes off of the problem or fear, and instead set our eyes on the good things, those things that bring us life, we are then able see how blessed we actually are to live in such a wonderful community in the greatest country in the world. We are blessed in Chickasha with a great business community, employers that care deeply about their employees. We are blessed in Chickasha with great schools and teachers who understand the importance education plays in the future of our children. We are blessed in Chickasha with a 4 year university that makes a large economic impact while providing quality degree opportunities to our citizens. We are blessed with many church, civic, and charitable organization that give so much to help the lives of the hurting during their time of need. Simply put, we are blessed beyond measure!

I ask you to join me in seeing the good that is all around us, and to declare and believe that 2008 will be the greatest year in the history of Chickasha. Thank you for allowing me to serve such a great community as your Mayor, have a blessed and prosperous new year.