IT HAS OFTEN been said there are two sides to everything, and we know from the experiences of life that there are two sides to every story. We are familiar with these phrases: the right side and the wrong side; the inside and the outside; the up side and the down side; the good side and the bad side.

We understand that every person has an opinion concerning issues and the different circumstances of life--in essence, my side and your side. We must recognize that although there are two sides to everything, we can be on only one side at a time.

I believe differences in opinions occur because individuals are at different places in their lives--spiritually, mentally, physically, academically and even financially. Therefore, one's frame of reference can give a different perspective. However, I contend that no one should ever think there is just one side to anything.

We should realize that no one person holds the single solution to any problem. Neither should one come to a place in life and assume that it is the only place. Never should an individual conclude that there is no place left to go.

I consider it to be a great loss for anyone to give up and quit because of a single point of view and dismiss that there is no other alternative. There is another side.

The other side denotes that there is a place across from where we are currently positioned. We must be mindful there will always be something between where we are and the other side. Please understand there will forever be something or somebody between you and your destination. Be mindful that there will always be a gulf or schism, valley or mountain, enemy or foe, a river or sea, some wilderness or rough terrain.

In life we are always traveling from some place, and we are heading to another place. Therefore, we can conclude that no matter where we are in life, there is another place. We should also resolve that where we are in life is not the place where God intends for us to remain.