FINDING THE REAL TREASURE IN AN ALASKAN THRIFT STORE
“You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.” Joyce Meyer
Our awareness is one of the most powerful gifts we have been given. What we choose to notice, what we allow into our thoughts, and how we perceive the world around us all play a part in shaping our experience of life. Our understanding and perception give substance to the things upon which we place our attention. In other words, what we focus on expands. Every day we have a choice. What are we going to feed our minds? Will it be the chaos, confusion, anger and fear that seem to dominate our world? Or will we intentionally seek out those things that uplift, inspire and remind us of the goodness that still exists in humanity?
Now, I am certainly not suggesting that we ignore the challenges facing our world. Pretending that suffering, injustice and division do not exist will not make them disappear. However, when we spend our days immersed in negativity, we begin to see everything through that lens. Before long, we may find ourselves believing that the world is filled with nothing but darkness. And yet, there is so much light! What if we made a conscious decision to notice it? What if we spent as much time acknowledging acts of kindness as we do discussing the latest crisis? What if we celebrated compassion, patience, generosity and love with the same enthusiasm that we sometimes give to things that upset us? I believe we would begin to see a very different world.
I have been in Alaska for a little over a week now, and this magnificent place has given me far more than breathtaking scenery and unforgettable adventures. It has given me a renewed appreciation for the beauty of the human spirit. The kindness and consideration I have experienced from the people here have absolutely blown me away. Everywhere I go, I encounter friendly faces, warm conversations and genuine respect for others. I have not heard people complaining about the weather, politics, or even the high prices of food and gasoline. And believe me, those prices are something to talk about! Instead, I have witnessed people simply being kind to one another.
Today, the weather changed enough that I was able to get out and about, and I decided to do one of my favorite things — thrifting! I love wandering through thrift stores, never knowing what little treasure might be waiting to be discovered. However, today's greatest treasure was not sitting on a shelf. It was a beautiful lesson in humanity.
I was standing near the front of the store when a young man suddenly burst through the door. He was filled with excitement and immediately began calling out the name of the sales clerk. He must have repeated her name at least ten times! His voice was loud, his enthusiasm overflowing, and he seemed completely unaware of how much attention he was drawing. He eagerly asked the clerk how her day was going and began sharing whatever was on his heart. I stopped and watched. What fascinated me was not the young man's exuberance but the reaction of everyone around him. No one appeared annoyed. No one rolled their eyes or seemed impatient. The salesclerk greeted him with a beautiful smile and gave him her attention. She listened patiently, allowing him the time and space to express himself without rushing him or making him feel that he was interrupting her day, even though he repeated every sentence multiple times. As I observed his mannerisms, I wondered whether he might be on the autism spectrum. I couldn't know that for certain, but what I could see clearly was the remarkable compassion being extended to him. Other customers smiled as he spoke. Some even greeted him by name. It was obvious that he was familiar to this little community and that his presence was welcomed.
There was no judgment, no criticism, no attempt to quiet him or change his behavior. There was simply acceptance. And in that moment, I witnessed peace on earth. I knew with every fiber of my being that it was no accident that I happened to be standing there. God has a wonderful way of placing us exactly where we need to be to receive a message, and sometimes those messages arrive in the most unexpected ways. I had gone into that store looking for a bargain. Instead, I found something priceless. I found a community demonstrating what unconditional love looks like in everyday life. Think about that for a moment. How often do we encounter someone whose behavior is different from what we expect and immediately form an opinion? How often do we become impatient because someone speaks too loudly, moves too slowly or does not conform to our idea of what is normal?
What if, instead of reacting with irritation, we responded with curiosity and compassion?
What if we recognized that every person we encounter is a soul having a human experience, just as we are?
Perhaps we would discover that our differences are not something to fear or criticize but opportunities to expand our capacity to love. As I checked out with my precious find of a t-shirt that said “Alaska”, I made sure to give an extra warm smile to the clerk and wish her a beautiful day.
For the past six years, I have traveled throughout the United States on the Peace On Earth Tour, sharing messages of hope, blessing the land and waters, and encouraging others to become instruments of peace. Completing my journey through all fifty states here in Alaska has been a magnificent milestone. Yet one of the greatest lessons of this journey is that peace is not something we must travel thousands of miles to find. It is something we create through our everyday choices.
Peace is the store clerk who patiently listens to an excited young man.
Peace is the customer who smiles instead of judging.
Peace is the community that makes room for everyone to belong.
Peace is choosing love when irritation would be easier.
And peace is recognizing these beautiful moments and sharing them so that others might be inspired to do the same.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:8 to direct our thoughts toward whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and worthy of praise. What beautiful guidance for navigating a world that constantly competes for our attention! We do not have to deny the darkness to acknowledge the light. We simply have to remember that both exist and that we have the power to decide which one receives the greater share of our energy.
I believe there is far more kindness in this world than we hear about. It doesn't always make the evening news. It doesn't demand recognition or applause. Sometimes it happens quietly in a little thrift store in Alaska while the rest of the world goes about its business. And sometimes God places us there to witness it so that we can carry that message forward.
Today, I invite you to become a treasure hunter. Not for material things, but for those beautiful moments of human kindness that are happening all around you. Look for them. Acknowledge them. Celebrate them. And most importantly, become one of them. Imagine what our world would look like if millions of us made that choice every day. Perhaps the greatest transformation of our world will not begin with some grand event. Perhaps it will begin when we simply decide to see one another through the eyes of love. What we focus on expands. Let's give love something beautiful to grow into.
Dear Angels, how can we remain aware of the negativity and challenges in our world without allowing them to consume our thoughts? How do we train ourselves to see the goodness in others when the world seems determined to show us everything that is wrong?
Dear Ones, we invite you to remember that your attention is a sacred gift. Where you place it determines much of what you experience within your heart. You were not created to carry the burdens of the entire world. You were created to bring your unique light into it. When you encounter darkness, do not believe that you must become consumed by it in order to make a difference. A candle does not argue with the darkness. It simply shines. So it is with you.
Every time you choose compassion over criticism, patience over frustration, and understanding over judgment, you become an instrument of Divine Love. Do not underestimate the power of these seemingly small choices. A smile can soften a troubled heart. A kind word can restore someone's faith in humanity. A moment of genuine acceptance can remind a soul that they belong. You ask how to see more goodness in your world. We say to you, begin by expecting to find it.
Awaken each morning with the intention of witnessing love in action. Ask your Divine Source to open your eyes to the miracles hidden within ordinary moments. Then move through your day with an open heart. You will discover that love has been there all along, quietly waiting to be noticed. Beloved ones, you cannot control every thought, word or action of another. You cannot force the world to become peaceful. However, you can choose to become the peace you wish to experience. And as your light shines, it gives others permission to shine as well.
Remember always that the energy of love is never wasted. Every act of kindness becomes part of the beautiful tapestry of humanity. Be mindful of what you feed your mind. Nourish it with gratitude, compassion and faith. Let your thoughts become prayers and your actions become blessings. For when you change the way you look at the world, you begin to discover the heaven that has been present within it all along.
Angels Whisper: Do not allow the noise of the world to silence the song of love within your heart. There is goodness all around you, waiting to be recognized. Look for the gentle acts of kindness, the patient hearts and the compassionate souls who quietly make your world a better place. Each time you acknowledge love, you strengthen its presence in your own life. You need not change the entire world today. Simply choose to be a light in the little corner where you stand. Someone may be watching, and your kindness may become the miracle they did not know they needed. Remember, beloved, what you focus on expands. Choose love, and let it grow.
Today, I promise to be more compassionate as I interact with those around me.
Teri Angel is a Joy Guide, Happiness Coach, energy healer, best-selling author, spiritual teacher, mentor, and inspirational speaker devoted to awakening peace within the human heart. As an International Peace Ambassador and founder of the nonprofit Angelspeakers Inc., Teri creates transformative workshops, sacred gatherings, and global initiatives that honor environmental stewardship, animal advocacy, peace consciousness, and the integration of ancient wisdom teachings into modern life.
Through her worldwide movement, Peas For Peace, Teri invites humanity to remember our divine interconnectedness—strengthening awareness of our oneness and inspiring unity through compassion, love, joy, and intentional action. During the Peace On Earth Tour, she was honored with the sacred name “She Who Blesses the Sacred Land,” a title she carries with humility and heartfelt grace as she continues blessing lands and waters around the world.
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To book a private session with Teri, visit https://angelspeakers.com
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