It has been said that life is a mixed bag, and we can choose to see it as we wish.

Once, an old philosopher was sitting under the shade of a tree. A man approached and asked, "What type of people live in yonder town? I want to move there."

The old philosopher looked at the man and asked, "What type of people live in the town you are planning to leave?"

"Ah," answered the man, "In the town I wish to leave, the people are cold, dishonest, unfriendly and selfish."

"Do not move into this town," replied the philosopher. "The same people live here as well."

No sooner had the stranger left when a second man appeared from the same town and made the same inquiry: What type of people live in yonder town.

Again, the old philosopher asked, "What type of people live in the town where you plan to leave?"

"I have to leave my town because of business reasons," answered the second man, "But I hate to do because it is filled with warm, friendly, hospitable people."

The philosopher replied, "The same kind of people live here. So, it does not really matter - where you choose to live, you will find friendship, warmth and hospitality."

Somehow, we always find what we are looking for, whether with our families or with our friends or in facing the future. If we have faith in God and man, we will find despite our adversity and hardship that our lives are enriched by ever present feelings of friendship, warmth and hospitality. For life is as we choose to see it and, as we see it, so shall we live it.

Rabbi Stanley E. Kroll