There is a ravine down the street from our house next to a community playground. And this versatile basin serves as a reservoir for stagnant water, a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and a hub for decomposing plums at various times of the year. Additionally, when the temperature hits triple digits, a kaleidoscope of confusing aromas elicits a perpetual crinkling of any noses within its vicinity.

So my daughter and I were walking by this morass, and she asked, “Dad, what should we name it?” It’s been about 102 degrees lately, so I proposed “Stink Lake” for obvious reasons. Her brow furrowed and she pondered for a moment. “No, that’s not it. How about Beautiful Lake?”

And this “lake” really is beautiful. Because underneath the superficial layer of repulsiveness lies a magical place where a father and a daughter can create epic tales of bog monsters, find cool-looking beetles, and cast both rocks and existential angst into the tepid water.

And I think it serves as an apt metaphor for life. What might seem like a Stink Lake of a situation actually might be a beautiful opportunity to make lasting memories, catalyze personal growth, or simply re-evaluate your priorities. The value of your experience is often dictated by your perspective!