I often ponder what I should do on any day to make it the best day possible.
It seems that people want that for me because I hear a dozen times a week, “Have a nice day.”
Many of the things we experience every day are beyond our control. You know what those things are: bad news, interruptions, and disappointments; and even good things like finding a good parking space and being given a McAlister’s chocolate chip cookie.
But I do have control over some of the things that make for a good day. I can choose to get up, clean up, and show up for the day ahead. I can try to accomplish some worthwhile things during the day, but not so many that the day becomes exhausting and disappointing.
I can get out in the sunshine on sunny days. I can read good books, think pleasant thoughts, and count my blessings in any kind of weather.
A day is generally about as good as my attitude toward the day.
Charles Swindoll was right when he wrote, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”
I have learned that my day is better if it includes exercise, preferably a nice, long walk; reading the Bible, praying, and contemplating God’s purpose for me; conversing with family members and friends; and maintaining a healthy balance of work and play.
A good day includes some time spent in creative pursuits. For me, this need is filled when I spend time writing.
A good day is made better when it brings with it unexpected pleasures, like a card from a friend or a visit with my grandchildren.
Addressing this issue from the opposite direction, I also know some things that will almost certainly guarantee a bad day. Allowing myself to indulge in bitterness, anger, and other negative feelings like jealousy and self-pity will ensure a bad day.
Staying in my pajamas and sinking down into my recliner to watch television nonstop, as enticing as those activities may sound, usually will not make for a good day.
Neglecting to take care of tasks that are my responsibility will contribute toward making a bad day.
Even more important, I will have a bad day if I fail to fulfill my responsibility to treat all people with respect and to nurture deeply the people I love most.
I read a story once about an old gentleman who had to move out of his house into a care facility. The administrator of the facility met the old man at the main entrance.
“I hope you will enjoy your new room,” she said.
“I already do enjoy it,” said the man.
“You can’t know if you will enjoy the room or not,” said the administrator, “since you haven’t even seen it.”
“Yes, I can know,” said the man. “The room itself will not determine whether or not I enjoy being there. I will determine that.”
Determine to enjoy this day, and you almost certainly will.