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STRINGER: Athletes snub versatility, specialize in one sport

Written by archive on July 10, 2015. Posted in columns, Sports.

Two years ago, Gabe Moore dropped football cold turkey. The year before that, basketball.

The Freeport star was the poster boy for athletic versatility, averaging 14 points a game on the hardwood and piling up 2,223 yards and 28 touchdowns on the gridiron as just a sophomore.

Coupled with a runner-up finish at state in the high jump, it led to the coveted Northwest Florida Daily News Male Athlete of the Year, an honor bestowed upon the best athlete in a three-county, 12-school coverage area.

All this as an underclassman, mind you.

By his senior year, he focused on just one sport: track and field.

This decision — which was easy for Moore — is becoming more prevalent with athletes these days. Cue Baby boomers and Gen Xers shaking their heads.

To be fair, as a 29-year old — a member of the Millennium Generation — even I struggle to empathize with this trend.

Like my friends growing up, I played everything: golf, tennis, basketball, baseball, soccer and football.

Sure, there were a fewtravel teams here and there. But they weren’t year-long commitments or bank-draining ventures.

Sports had designated seasons. Once those seasons moved on, so did athletes.

Once I got to high school in 2000, this mentality still remained the norm. In North Carolina, I competed in cross country, indoor track and, forced to choose between tennis and golf, golf. A year later, after moving to Colorado, I was allowed to play golf and tennis, all while resuming my running activities.

Paired with a job and academics, it was trying, but also exhilarating; the bond and memories created far outweighed the sore muscles, callused hands and aching back.

Flash forward to present day: Athletes more times than not are weighing the risk and reward of condensing their skills into one sport.

Scholarships remain the biggest reward, the culmination of earning the exposure of playing one sport year round.

Another reward? Lessening the chances of injury.

Case in point: Rory McIlroy will sit out the British Open because of a soccer injury. This doesn’t mean injuries won’t happen. It’s just that with the physicality and wear and tear of each sport’s commitment, versatility is rarely prized or encouraged.

Gone are the days of Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders and, remember Michael’s jump to baseball?

Moore’s decision to focus on track proved to be fruitful. He won a state title in track, captured indoor nationals and shined in world-wide showcases.

This all led to a scholarship from the University of Arkansas, which houses one of the top track and field programs in the country.

Small-town folks originally scoffed at his decision to specialize.

Once considered the anomaly, it appears Moore’s plight is now closer to the norm.

… loud, audible sigh

Seth Stringer is the Northwest Florida Daily News' sports editor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: STRINGER: Athletes snub versatility, specialize in one sport

CROSE: Businesses need to make better decisions

Written by archive on July 8, 2015. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

We all need to make wise decisions in our personal and professional lives.

But not all businesses do that.

FREE ADVICE

I am amazed when a business hires consultants to advise them, when the information provided is available at no charge.

Yes, outside consultants are sometimes necessary; but when it comes to Crestview's traffic issues, defining an expanding market or just tweaking existing ideas, the company's employees and customers often have valuable feedback that is never drawn upon.

Why not tap into the opinions of those who know the business intimately?

I read this week that McDonald's doesn't know why their market share has dropped, thus affecting their profits.

Well, I could give McDonald's many reasons, but they'd probably rather pay millions of dollars to consultants.

Still, here is some free advice: Have healthier alternatives, more fresh fruits and vegetables, and serve breakfast all day.

UNDER-APPRECIATED WORKERS

One of my nieces works in customer service, and it astounds me how hard she works and how little she is appreciated. I mean the abuse she takes from customers and abuse the company heaps upon her if her "call time" is too long.

She is to make the customer happy in 14 minutes or less, but may not hang up until the situation is resolved. If the call time exceeds the arbitrary 14 minutes, she is written up for non-compliance.

All day long, she has to deal with irate and foul-mouthed customers — and this company wonders why their turn-over rate is so high.

Instead of using common sense and asking employees how to make the job better, they hired consultants.

Once the report was submitted, the company didn't like the results so they ignored their own consultants' advice!

THEIR OWN WORST ENEMY

The response to already stressed employees is to blame them, instead of cheering them for having happy customers.

Many businesses spend plenty of time training their employees, so why make the atmosphere so toxic and unpleasant that over 92 percent of their employees leave within six months?

I wonder when they will figure out that they are their own worst enemy.

Sometimes, we are also our own worst enemies in our personal decision making. I hope that we can take a step back and, when needed, rely on those closest to us to give feedback.

At times, our feelings may be hurt, but if our goal is to thrive — not just survive — in this life, we will become better people when we take needed advice.

"A man's counsel is sweet to his friend." Proverbs 27:9b

Janice Lynn Crose lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Businesses need to make better decisions

BROADHEAD: Focus on Christ to achieve your life goals

Written by archive on July 8, 2015. Posted in columns, Opinion, your-voice.

A man approached a laborer laying bricks and said, "What are you doing?"

"Can’t you see I’m laying bricks?!" the laborer said.

The man then walked over to another bricklayer and said, "What are you doing?"

The workman said with pride, "I’m building a cathedral."

Both were doing the same thing. But the first guy was occupied with the present task, while the other was focused on the ultimate goal.

Who do you think had more satisfaction in what he was doing? My vote would be on the one keeping his vision on the cathedral being built.

Steven R. Covey, in his book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," wrote that we need to "begin with the end in mind." In other words, envision your goal — what you want at the end of your project, or career, or life — and work toward it.

What do you want to accomplish? What goals have you set?

Bear in mind, just because you might be retired does not mean you have to lack goals. Life goals are not just for young people.

However, we need to ensure our goals are consistent with God’s word and teaching.

Our culture says, "Seek your place in the world!" Jesus says, "Seek the kingdom of God."

Our culture says, "Find yourself!" God says "Lose yourself, and find life."

Our culture says, "Be your own self-made person!" God says, become "members together of one body."

Our culture says, "Look to your own needs and interests!" God says, have "the attitude of Christ Jesus, who took on the nature of a servant."

Keep Jesus Christ's goals in mind. He said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness."

Answer Jesus Christ's call, not the culture's, and you will find your true purpose in life.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Focus on Christ to achieve your life goals

HUBBUB: Cash in, Crestview; focus first on necessities

Written by archive on July 8, 2015. Posted in columns, more-voices, Opinion.

Editor's Note: These featured comments are the most thoughtful or eloquently stated comments from our Facebook page and crestviewbulletin.com and do not necessarily reflect the newspaper management's views.

•••

TOP COMMENT: Cash in, Crestview

By Sabrina Knost

This city is no longer a town. We need to accept our population exceeds our venues. We need shopping centers, restaurants that are not just fast food, and entertainment for children and adults. It is time we cash in on our population.

•••

A too-long drive

Please accept that Crestview is booming. Build some nice restaurants and shopping centers. Stop putting in (stuff) that no one needs.

We don't need any more churches, gun shops, pawn stores or vapor shops.

… I love living in Crestview, but driving 45 minutes for a Target is ridiculous.

Scott Harris

•••

Sticking up for seniors

Thank you to Mr. Rytman for looking out for the city's fixed-income residents!

We have a large senior population that would be adversely affected by the fire assessment tax.

At least someone brought that up.

Amber Nicole

•••

Cops need raises

… It's time to raise taxes. Our Crestview police force is way, way underpaid; cops that get paid less care less.

Dan Mackey

•••

Swimming pool for schools

Our schools need a swim team and a place to practice!

Ryan Mabry

••• Get out of the mud

A pool would be nice for those of us who don't like swimming in rivers, lakes and what have you.

A nice (recreation) center would also be nice and, I think, in the long run it would pay for itself several times over. Have an entrance fee and a monthly/quarterly/yearly entrance fee.

As for the library and parks, they should develop a donation system and volunteer programs for anyone who wants to help out in their free time.

Other towns, even ones much smaller, run their systems perfectly fine, so why is Crestview always stuck in the mud?

Sarah Hawkins

•••

An ex-resident's view

I was a resident of North Okaloosa County for most of my life, many years in Crestview (the rest in Baker).

What is sad to me, is after all those years I guess I thought the chaos and disorganization (were) normal.

Now, I live in another state, in a smaller town that utilized planning and budgeting appropriately. Indoor, public pool, dog park, public library, city events that are free, and people actually want to attend. All without losing its small-town appeal.

It's amazing what proper management can do.

Cassie Cato Scofield

•••

Crestview High School left out

What is also ridiculous is the fact that just about every big high school around has a swim team and Crestview does not.

Krista Gray Ladner

•••

Focus first on necessities

If all the thousands of people who want a public pool would contribute a couple of dollars a month, they could have a pool.

In the meantime, our city needs to spend tax money on necessities, like resurfacing streets.

Daniel Bowers

•••

Save Laurel Hill's roads

Sad to think that since 1905 they can't seem to find money to repair roads. They need to consult someone that can help find money to do more.

It would be nice to see more businesses choose to build in Laurel Hill and North Crestview. Dollar General was a nice addition and a good start.

•••

Thousands of residents coming?

Looks like a bit of speculation on the part of city managers. When are the thousands of new residents projected to arrive? Where will they find jobs? How much tax revenue will these thousands generate? Will it be enough to pay for the additional services required?

Wendell Beattie

•••

About those gas prices…

… Our soon-to-open (CEFCO) convenient store (chain) opened their store in Niceville and gas is down to $2.62, $2.65 a gallon. We in Crestview are at $2.76 a gallon. Something's wrong with that picture.

Jason Howard

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HUBBUB: Cash in, Crestview; focus first on necessities

COMMENTARY: Crestview needs a public pool

Written by archive on July 7, 2015. Posted in columns, Sports.

Our buddy and colleague Randy Dickson is still recuperating from shoulder surgery. It's for an injury from his days on Gulf Breeze High School's football team.

When I see friends our age suffering lingering aches and pains from youthful sport-related injuries, I praise my parents for steering me to swimming, a sport I have enjoyed since age 5.

SWEET MEMORIES

When Randy fondly reminiscences of the friendships and bonds formed on his football team, I can identify. The swim team's bonds were no less strong and our memories of those days no less dear.

That the Warwick (N.Y.) Valley High School Wildcats swim team was virtually undefeated in my three years as a breaststroker, IM’er and 50-yard-freestyler makes those memories even sweeter.

Many friends our age who were on their school football teams no longer play the game. Their bodies just won’t hold up to its rigors.

However, I regularly swim at least a half-kilometer, if not more, from the end of April well into October.

Many of my swim team comrades likewise still do regular laps. We may not look as studly in our Speedos — ah, the fleeting beauty of youth — but it’s exercise we’ll do for many more years.

BENEFITS DENIED

Swimming is perfect low-impact, cardiovascular exercise. Unlike running — or being tackled — there’s no bodily stress. Different strokes exercise various muscle groups. You can perspire while swimming, but at least you don’t feel nasty.

Unfortunately, swimming’s benefits are denied to all but those few Crestview residents who have a private pool, lake or pond; a country club membership; or an apartment complex pool.

Crescent Springs pool— Purl Adams Sr.’s public oasis, which closed in the 1950s — is now an overgrown ruin, a reminder that Crestview has no public aquatics facility where residents can take swimming lessons, swim laps, or where seniors can strengthen aging muscles.

My high school pool served more than us Wildcats. A community swim team also swam there. The Red Cross taught lifesaving and water safety in it.

Passing the swimming component was a requirement to pass P.E. class. Kids who might never receive swimming lessons learned a sport they could enjoy and a skill that could save their lives — and did for several who fell out of boats or got in over their heads while wading or fishing in a lake.

So in a region blessed with rivers, streams, lakes and ponds, I was surprised to find no community pool when I moved here after Hurricane Katrina.

It’s Florida, for heaven’s sake!

COMMUNITY ASSET

A swimming pool pays for itself; that fact led Warwick High administrators and the Orange County school board to diligently mind its upkeep. (Community use of our high school pool actually contributed extra funds toward other school programs — valuable support in those days of an austerity budget that saw every other hallway light extinguished.)

And, of course, it's an amenity for municipalities that have one.

At the June 22 Crestview City Council meeting, a resident begged the city for a community pool. He wasn’t the first, and certainly won’t be the last.

Whether on city-owned property or at Crestview High School, a covered, all-weather pool could be a year-round community asset. One that enables us to strengthen our bodies; offers an alternative for kids and adults who shun contact sports; and teaches residents how to swim.

A public pool would make Crestview more attractive to businesses considering relocation and, through event rentals, pool memberships and community swim and water polo team fees, would pay for itself.

Let’s build one.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at brianh@crestviewbulletin.com, follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: COMMENTARY: Crestview needs a public pool

HELMS: With gay marriage, God makes the judgment call

Written by archive on July 6, 2015. Posted in columns, Opinion, your-voice.

Editor's Note: This column does not necessarily reflect views of the News Bulletin's management.

The Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage has fueled plenty of debate on both sides of the issue.

This is the Rev. Richard Helms' perspective.

•••

I am quite saddened. We have allowed less than 3 percent of this nation to declare how to redefine our moral beliefs.

How did we get to this stage?

My opinion about gay marriage does not matter. What God has written should be the determining factor for all who declare and claim His name.

In Revelation 21:27, we are told, with no uncertainty, that which will not make it into heaven. Note closely this verse: "But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life." The scripture is plain that apparently even a lie is capable of holding man out of His Kingdom.

Look up all things that are an abomination before Him. You just may be surprised.

In Jeremiah's time, Judah had some of the same problems we have today. God, in talking with Jeremiah, laid a charge against the nation that is of little surprise if you understand God's desires for us. He did not choose a pet sin to criticize, or a specific people.

Jeremiah 2:13 says, "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns — broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Note His first charge: the nation had forsaken Him.

The second charge?

"Since they have rejected me, they have sought their own selfish attempt at redefining God and His moral demands."

This, too, is America. How did we get this far?

Again, listen to God speaking to Jeremiah in Chapter 2:8: "The priests did not say, 'Where is the LORD?’ And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, And walked after things that do not profit."

Church, it is our fault. We are the largest voting bloc in America; we vote less; and when we do vote, we vote liberal. We no longer vote according to God's Holy Word, and have no regard toward His will.

We cannot hate those involved in particular sins, but we must hate the sin enough to stand against it and not condone it. By sharing truth and God's love, then and only then can we seek to turn all to Christ.

Abhor the sin, but love the sinner enough to stand against it.

Our job is to warn and to love. God makes the judgment call, and we can prevent those from being judged by Him by loving all enough to not condone sin in our own lives.

Stand up; keep others from the fire. Show the love, and power, of God in your life that they may have hope in theirs.

The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: With gay marriage, God makes the judgment call

BROADHEAD: Online passwords break — God's promises don't

Written by archive on July 2, 2015. Posted in columns, Opinion, your-voice.

Many children have to know the secret password to enter a clubhouse or tree house; only the select few get in.

If you don't know the password, you are shunned, ostracized, sent away.

If you know the password, but hadn’t been told it by the club president, you were still shunned — and an inquisition was made to determine who had given it away. Then they, too, were booted out.

How many passwords do you need to remember as an adult? The password to your email account, your bank account, your Cloud account, your Facebook account, your LinkedIn account, your whatever account.

Most of us have more passwords to remember than we have accounts we can remember.

And passwords cannot be simple anymore. Now they have to have at least one capital letter, at least one number, and at least one symbol.

H0wRedicul0s!zThat?

The more unusual combinations manufactured in passwords, the more secure it is. But do you really feel secure with your passwords? Or are you concerned someone will be able to figure out one of them, hack your accounts, and steal your identity?

Whereas there exists the possibility that someone could hack you and steal your identity, one identity is so secure it can never be stolen.

You are a child of God. No one can take this identity from you. In the Bible, 1 John 3, we read, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.

"The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now.”

The depth of God’s love is so deep, it is rooted so strongly in you, that this promise should bring great comfort, solace and joy.

On this day, as you celebrate the birth of our nation — even as it seems to some this nation is coming apart at the seams — remember this nation is the strongest on the face of the Earth.

Also remember the gift of new life you received when you made the decision to follow Jesus Christ, and the claim he has on you — even if it seems you are falling apart at the seams.

His promise is the strongest in the universe.

Passwords may be able to be broken. But God’s promises never are.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview's pastor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Online passwords break — God's promises don't

HUBBUB: Live and let live, self-defense is no sin

Written by archive on July 2, 2015. Posted in columns, more-voices, Opinion.

TOP COMMENT: Live and let live

By Octavia Quintanilla

I am not originally from the South, and when I first moved here I misinterpreted the (Confederate) flag as well. Yet, due to a friend of mine explaining that the flag is more like a representation of southern heritage — and jokingly mentioning her strong love for gravy and grits — my first impressions of this area were changed.

It is a symbol, and it does not mean the same thing to everyone. It is as simple as that.

It was hate groups that chose to disgrace that symbol, thus creating the misinterpretation a lot of people have now.

With all the controversial issues that have risen up lately, my only answer is live and let live.

•••

About the Lundy memorial

This is history, not anything to do with Charleston churches.

Mark Benoit

•••

Flag didn't kill anyone

Sad when a few people that don't even live here are so afraid of a flag. The flag did not kill anyone. Just another way to take our rights away.

Linda Chumley

•••

NAACP should change its name

When is the NAACP going to change its name? Isn't it offensive to refer to African Americans/black people as "colored people?" Then why does the organization still stand for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People?

Sarah Turner-Fucci

•••

Bypass needed for Laurel Hill

How about more roads coming into different parts of Crestview. Plus a bypass for those traveling to Laurel Hill and beyond.

It's stupid, having only one way in and out going north and south and one way east and west!

Patricia Tiernan Matthews

•••

Four-lane Highway 285

Another possible immediate solution would be to four-lane Highway 285, and from the north end of Highway 285, also four-lane Highway 90 headed west into Crestview.

This would encourage more motorists to use that route as an option, decreasing Highway 85 traffic flow, and it would also take a little time off the Highway 285 route. But of course the 285 route runs through federal property and the federal government would have to buy off on it.

It also seems to me that it would be in the federal government's best interest to participate in facilitating traffic improvements to fix this problem since military and federal employees are the majority users of these thoroughfares.

Chris Faircloth

•••

Is Confederate flag removal a deterrent?

Someone please give me an intelligent argument how removing this flag will prevent future atrocities.

Greg Hutto

•••

Christianity will survive prayer policy

I believe that as Christians, we are in the world, not of the world. Christianity survived Communism, it survived the slaughter by the Romans in Jerusalem, it has survived all of the modern-day atrocities that attack our belief and lifestyle, and it will certainly survive the council meetings in Crestview.

Anna Marie May

•••

Self-defense is no sin

I have had members of the congregation I once pastored armed with a concealed weapon and holding a concealed permit.

I know that other churches have members within their churches who hold concealed permits and that carry their weapons in the church.

I have no problem with this practice.

We live in an evil world where evil fears less and less to reveal itself. It is not a sin to defend yourself or the defenseless.

Eddie James

•••

Pray for peace, America

I hope I am wrong, but I see more of this in the future. We need revival in America.

Sin will wax worse and worse in these later days. I have often seen forgiveness in smaller doses but when all of these (Charleston) victims' families voiced forgiveness, it blew my mind.

Perhaps Christians of all colors and denominations should come together and pray for peace in America.

Howard Eastlack

•••

No need for public invocations

Matthew 6:6: "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.

"Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Kenny Born

•••

Focus on business, not faith

I have a better suggestion: Leave everyone's beliefs out of it and concentrate on the duties of your elected office.

Richard S. Singleton

•••

Re-thinking Pastor's Perspective

Have you thought that some people aren't of your faith and might think you are in the wrong and going to their version of hell unless you repent to their god/desses?

… You aren't retaining someone's sin by not confronting them; you are minding your own business and not being a nosey busybody.

You need to think long and hard about what you are trying to get other people to do, and hopefully you will realize that your wanting to make people repent is wrong.

Stephanie Wahner

•••

Remembering Durrell Peaden

Crestview has lost a huge advocate. He was my grandmother's doctor. He did so much for Crestview and Okaloosa County and even Walton County. He basically hand delivered FAMU and other educational facilities to this area.

Thomas Gordon

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HUBBUB: Live and let live, self-defense is no sin

BONI: Tackling same-sex marriage, Confederate flag civilly

Written by archive on June 30, 2015. Posted in columns, more-voices, Opinion.

The culture wars have more than heated up — they've reached a fever pitch.

These days, social media is the new water cooler, and this line sums up what people are talking about: "My Facebook feed looks like a battle broke out between the confederates and a Skittles factory."

So reads a meme from Someecards.com, which designs e-cards for sharing on social media. The message refers to the vast amount of Facebook and Twitter users sharing their thoughts on the Confederate flag and same-sex marriage.

Passions are high nationwide after two issues forced everyone to re-think long-time institutions.

A white man shot and killed nine black people after an evening Bible study June 17 at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. The tragedy opened a dialog on race relations and possible symbols of division, namely the rebel flag.

Race was a focal point up until Friday, when the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to legalize same-sex marriage throughout the country. Then equality and religious liberty were the hot topics.

Race, sexuality and religion are touchy subjects, and that's evident on social media, where battle lines are drawn with hashtags like #lovewins and #lustwins; where the lack of rainbow stripes on your profile photo could raise questions about your stance on same-sex marriage. Or at least make you stick out like a sore thumb.

Too often, the soapbox surpassed advocacy and veered into e-fighting territory.

Children seeing these posts could be forgiven for any confusion.

On one hand, they see that people who support the Confederate flag are racist; on the other, people who don't are race baiters. They hear that people who support same-sex marriage are sending the country to hell, but then people who don't are backward bigots.

It's hard to keep track.

Such vitriol certainly underscores the term culture wars, and North Okaloosa County wasn't excluded from the furor.

Whereas a number of residents see the Supreme Court's decision as redefining marriage, increasingly more people see basic human rights being granted to a group who once felt like second-class citizens.

Meanwhile, Crestview's Confederate flag— flying at the William "Uncle Bill" Lundy memorial at the East First Avenue-State Road 85 intersection— is one of many rebel flags being targeted for removal.

Casting the flag as a symbol of hatred raises concern among Lundy's family members, free speech advocates and others who believe it is a scapegoat amid the country's racial conflicts.

The Crestview Lions Club established the site in 1958 to honor a man believed to be Florida's last surviving Civil War veteran. Some residents have since questioned Lundy's military record, citing Census data that suggests he wasn't old enough to have served in the war.

Meanwhile, I can't help thinking that the United States, this melting pot we call home, is the land of the free and home of the brave. Our differences, in many ways, are what unite us geographically. We can follow our beliefs and dreams, disagree with our city's, county's and country's leaders and voice opposition without fear.

It would be good to remember those hard-won freedoms when debating difficult issues with fellow Americans, fellow Floridians, fellow Okaloosans and fellow Crestview residents.

We're all in this together, geographically. So why not tackle these tough issues together, civilly?

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BONI: Tackling same-sex marriage, Confederate flag civilly

BROADHEAD: Seek joy before happiness

Written by archive on June 30, 2015. Posted in columns, Opinion, your-voice.

Some people, in more cynical moments, may question the sincerity of telling someone to “have a nice day.”

One lady was overheard saying to someone who told her to have a nice day, “I have other plans.”

Still, it is safe to say almost everybody wants to be happy. That is one of the principles on which our country was founded. We are guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Remember, we are not guaranteed happiness; we are guaranteed the pursuit of happiness.

Various avenues may be taken to pursue happiness — manufacturers and inventors assure us of that.

There are items like televisions, radios, computers, tablets, fancy watches and books. There are restaurants, movie theaters, concert halls, sports arenas, vacation hot spots and cruise lines.

The list is practically endless.

Still, the happiness these things bring are — at best — temporary. While we are engaged in them we are happy. But when the novelty wears off, we need another shot of “something” that will make us feel happy again.

What many actually seek in life is joy, which changes us deep within and affects us, inside out. Joy changes our core values, the way we look at the world and what is happening around us or to us, and it changes how we filter our perception of life.

The apostle Paul says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

When the joy of the Lord fills our hearts, we no longer let the meaning of life be defined by the culture around us, nor the expectations of extended families, nor the size of the raise we get — or don’t get — at work.

From the moment we receive the joy of the Lord into our hearts, the dominant reality in our existence becomes the kingdom of God. And God's blessings come to all who make a place for this kingdom in their lives.

My recommendation to you is this: seek joy more than you do happiness. Joy is long-lasting and fills you to overflowing so you can enjoy happy times all that much more — without the constant drive to feel happy.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview's pastor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Seek joy before happiness

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