“Men are developed the same way gold is mined. When gold is mined, several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold; but one doesn’t go into the mine looking for dirt—one goes in looking for the gold.” – Andrew Carnegie
There is no shortage of dirt to be found. I am certain that in every sermon I have preached, there is at least one sentence that I would like to take back and try again. Every person you meet has a trait that you’d like them a little better without. Every movie has a few minutes that aren’t as good as the rest. Every vacation has a drive or a flight that’s not as fun as the destination.
When you find the dirt, it feels good for a minute. You feel like you’re in on something. You’ve found the flaw. It appeals to your pride. But you don’t build up the world by tearing things down.
If you want to be happy—and if you want people to be happy to be around you—be a person who looks for the gold, not the dirt.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)