A Day in the Life

Each day begins as a blank page. I woke this morning to the sound of birds greeting the rising of the sun. My first awareness of my physical body was stiffness as I turned to my side. As I pulled myself to a sitting position, I smiled at the thought of those long gone days of youth when I could jump out of bed and begin my day effortlessly. A poet's comments come to mind...Youth is wasted on the young. I am not sure if I agree with that statement. Call me crazy but I truly do believe that the stiffness of my body and the silver hairs I see at my temples are badges of honor...a way in which my body reminds me that with age comes added wisdom that can only be gained by growing old in years. I don't feel "old" inside. I greet each day with expectation of the unexpected. There is always something new in the folds of a rose bud or the soft flutter of a butterfly passing my way.

I have met people half my age who are old internally. Their bodies no longer respond to the external stimuli around them. They fixate on their 24/7 schedule, deaf to the song of a bird, blind to the folds of a rose bud. These same people look at me and think how sad it is that I limp a little and tire easily. But who has the better quality of life? Who greets the day as new and full of expectation?

No matter how bad the previous day may have been, each new day begins fresh and filled with positivity. Looking back is counter productive. It is not what the Creator intended to be our focus. We all have bad days and experiences from the past that were dark and perhaps even destructive. Why bring those days back into focus? Past experiences have already passed into the void. Instead of thinking, "Why did this happen?", start the day by thinking, "Today is a blank page open and ready to be written upon." Open your eyes to the possibilities around you...the smallest of possibilities begin with an awareness of the Creator and His perfect creation around you. Begin your day with expectation of the unexpected.

Life does not have to be nearly as complicated as we think. Simplicity is the key. So many people these days fixate on what they think they must have to be "happy"...
a high-paying career, prestige, an expensive behemoth of a vehicle, a large house in an upscale neighborhood, membership in a healthclub, children enrolled in a private school. Yet they feel empty and unfulfilled at the end of a ten-hour day. How much more enjoyable can be a career that you enjoy doing, the love of family, simple adequate transportation, a comfortable little home filled with love, a walk in the evening greeting your neighbors, doing homework with the kids after dinner. The Good Life is not something you can buy or finance or lease. The good life is a feeling of satisfaction for a job well done and the love of those you love. Simplify and your life will be richer than you ever dreamed it could be. Start with tomorrow morning. Begin by expecting the unexpected.