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Our day begins in our minds. Our first thoughts will usually govern our day. If we know this, why then wouldn't we make sure we think of positive, uplifting things when we first wake up. Yes, we are groggy, still tired, in a fog, but to remember while on our way to the bathroom, that the dogwood out the window has bloomed, and sneak a peek at it's beauty, is much more beneficial to the rest of our day. To realize that we have a gift of time in front of us, and it's up to us to use that time in a negative, whiny way, or a positive, productive one.
When we wake up in a good mood, ready to face the day and all the challenges it will undoubtedly bring, we are opening the gift of that day. When we awaken in a sour, depressed, and angry way, we are closing the box under the wrapping. We're not giving the gift a chance. How could good things follow a negative attitude? Barking at the family, other drivers, and finally, at your destination, other co workers, is not appreciating that the day you were just given was a gift, and you threw it away. You can't make it up, like an exam or a test. You closed the box, and kept the darkness in, instead of opening the gift of the day and embracing it with a sense of peace and happiness.
I know we all have problems, and life is not always the best atmosphere to be in at certain times, but those are particular circumstances that need to be taken care of, and then we must return to the light of a new day. We all have our days of relaxation and rest, but even then, we can appreciate the sun coming in the window, or the rain's pleasant and calming sound. It had been pointed out to me that I didn't wake up very well. I thought about it, realized it was true, and wanted to change that pattern, and I did. I used my mind to direct itself to happy thoughts and happy envisions of what I would do that day, and became a much better companion upon waking!
I look out the windows now as I walk through the house, and I see the beauty placed there for me maybe? No matter what season it is, there is something to appreciate and find beauty in. Nothing or no one is perfect, but progress is helpful in so many ways. Relationships prosper, your own health and sanity prosper, and all seems better in the world. Once you walk out the door, you can add to that feeling of contentment, even when someone cuts you off, or steps in front of you in line. In the realm of things, how important is it? Enough to raise your heart rate? Cause an accident, or get into a physical altercation? Let it go, focus on what's good in your day.
If you are happily married, you have a spouse you love, if you have kids, you are surrounded by love, if you have a nice home, you have another gift. These have to be appreciated while dealing with the lost bus schedule, ripped homework, burnt toast, the bills, mortgage, and flat tire on the way to work. Today is a gift, and needs to be treated as such. We can take a breather once in a while and wallow in our own self pity, we deserve that, it helps us figure out ways to improve a situation. If what we do and say on a continual basis, puts others on the defensive, we need some adjusting to do. It is not our life's plan to be sullen and antagonistic. If it were, there would be no need for the beauty we all know.
When I truly have committed my trust in a person, and they give me suggestions, I listen. My objective is to be more positive, I don't need the negatives anymore, nor do I want them. Negativity rears it's ugly head at times, but number one, not as often, and number two, it is easier to atone for my mistakes, and number three, the damage is not as intense. Passion is not always a good thing. It's important to calm that passion down to a balanced excitement in life and accept the bad times as part of our journey, remembering that the positive images are more helpful than the negative, and can help us stay centered. Why not enjoy each day as the gift it is?
No matter how bad our situation, we usually can find something we are grateful for. We may have a ton of bills and a mortgage and car payments and insurance, food, extras, utilities, and on and on. Nonetheless, we are holding on enough to keep our home. There is the gift. We may have children. There is no gift more special than our offspring. We sleep in our own bed. The one place we feel comfortable and safe. Another gift. All these gifts happening because we feel that each day is a gift we open, not a box we close. Each day that is followed by night shouldn't just be checked off the calendar. It was waiting to be enjoyed and experienced. Did we treat it as a gift? Or did we close ourselves in a deep part of our emotions and escape, closing the lid on the box behind us?
What happened to the birds and the clouds and the beauty of the sky, and fresh air and sunshine? When did we stop using these gifts as foundation for our comfort, peace, and therefore, happiness? Each day allows us the chance to witness the gracious nature we most often take for granted, and yet, the appreciation of such is just the remedy to feeling down. I have pushed positivity and nature away at times, no one can live every day in a functional manner, unless they are bionic. On those occasions, I was missing out on so much. You never know what each day will bring. A gift of wonderment. If we can stay focused and in the right frame of mind, we can remember to treat every day as a gift to open, and not a box to close.
This is a truly wonderful article Sue. You are right, every day is a gift and we can choose to look at how lucky we are or ruin the whole day with negative thoughts. I'm a terrible poet, but today I said I want to write about April love and this made me feel better. Hope you get a chance to read it. Thanks for inspiring me to write again and keep positive.
I always try to look at every day as a gift even though I've received some pretty lousy ones from time to time. I love my life though and am not going to lie and say i wouldn't change a minute of it becasue I would, lots of minutes in fact. I cope by using humor when things are bad and my kids are my greatest strength. I enjoy reading your articles and have read most of them, they seem to help you as much as they do others to put life into perspective. Thankyou for your kind and consistent comments on my articles as well, it means a lot to me. lol
isn't it funny, with all the ups and downs, i often find myself saying, "I love my life."
and, i, too, believe there are many minutes i would change. if we are on this Earth to learn, and we come back many times until we get it right, i want this life to be the last one:) i'm glad you enjoy reading my articles, they do help me every bit as much as the reader, you are definitely correct. i hope all is doing well with you,
Thanks Susan, this article is a great reminder of how important gratitude is.
Our thoughts do to a big degree govern our moods, and our day can be ruined by a bad mood. So much better to take the time to appreciate the wonder of being alive today.
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