As I opened my journal to begin this morning’s entry, I wrote down the date in the top corner and looked to the bottom of the page for the daily quote which read, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” I was struck by the realization that today is the only June 2, 2014 that I will ever experience. There will never be another Monday, June 02, 2014 as long as I live. So how was I going to use this opportunity I have been given to make the most of today? Every morning, we wake up, having been given the gift of life. The gift of another day here on this earth. We wake up with breath in our lungs and (for most of us) get out of bed with the ability to move about freely. We begin our daily routine of coming and going to school, work, errands, time with friends, etc. and often don’t give it a second thought that we do all of this because this day has been made for us and this life has been given to us. I know that I do this all the time.
But, today was different. Today I realized I have a choice of how I can use this day. I could choose to take advantage of my morning ‘off’ by catching up on work, checking in with friends that are struggling, writing this blog, exercising (no…that one I do enough of already). Or, I could stay in bed enjoying my cup of coffee, maybe catch a show on TV or read a good book. We all have choices every single day of how we use the day we wake up to. I could decide I do not want to go to work today. I could even choose to cancel all my appointments and throw my covers back over my head, forgetting about this day and putting life on hold until tomorrow. This is an option (yes, there would be consequences, but it is always an option) and to be honest, it has been tempting some days… Today is not that day. Today, I have decided to be grateful for this day that has been made for me (and you) and to take advantage of my one and only June 2, 2014.
Could not each day be viewed as an opportunity to help make someone’s life a little better? I can choose to make time to invest in someone else. I can choose to engage in a conversation with a friend who needs a listening ear, rather than hurrying the chat along so that I can get back to ‘work.’ I chose to stop what I was doing this morning and send a note to someone I know that is hurting rather than saying, ‘I’ll get to that later.’ I believe that even if it is through a seemingly small act of kindness, we can help make someone’s day a little brighter. This morning I decided to write down the names of 5 people that I have the opportunity to encourage today. I have taken some time already to reach out to two of them. My challenge would be for you to do the same. Whether it is 1, 2, or 5 people, take some time to make their June 2, 2014 a better day.
Maybe there is something you have been putting off or someone that has been on your mind for awhile to talk to. Don’t let another day go by. Do it today. And while you’re at it, take a moment to appreciate this day you have been given. Be glad for Monday, June 02, 2014. There won’t be another one like it. Take a moment and thank God for the breath in your lungs and the opportunity to live another day. It is a gift.