Secret Of Life

A meaningful Peanuts cartoon, especially during these turbulent times, is provided here.   Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty are leaning against a tree on either side, and Patty asks: “What do you think the secret of living is, Chuck?”  Charlie Brown answers, “The secret of living is to own a convertible and a lake.”  Surprised, Patty asks, “A convertible and a lake?”

Charlie explains: “If the sun is shining you can ride around in your convertible and be happy.  If it starts to rain, it won’t spoil your day because you can just say, ‘Oh, well.  The rain will fill up my lake.’”  

Snoopy arrives, and Patty asks the same question.   In reply, Snoopy gives her a kiss on the nose.   Charlie Brown turns his head and notices.

As Both Snoopy and Patty leave together, she says, “A convertible and a lake.  I don’t know about you, Chuck.”   Charlie then adds, “If your lake is drying up, you can say, ‘Oh, well.  This is nice weather for riding in a convertible.’”

There are two take-aways from this Peanuts exchange.   The first secret of life is to show and give love to one another (SMAK).   The second is that when love is in short supply (when it rains), look for silver linings.  Don’t drown in our sorrows.  Use them to fill up our lakes, float our boats, and then sail on to better shores for new friendships and perhaps abundant kisses.

Deacon David Pierce