How many times do we start our day with this prayer:
"Please Lord, just let me get through this day!"
There are so many days, when upon awakening and our feet have barely graced the floor, that we're praying for the moment that we we can climb right back into that bed. "Getting through" the day becomes our objective for the next 24 hours. I know. I've been there many mornings myself. I stand up and look at my white, warm bed sheets and cozy comforter and really, really don't want to leave it. But, alas, life calls.
Some mornings it's hard to say "thank – you" as my feet, first one, then the other, hit the hardwood floor. Awhile back there was a song by Martina McBride called "Blessed" and in it she mentions feeling blessed each morning when her feet hit the hardwood floor. I first heard that song when we bought this house 10 years ago and I was so deeply appreciative of finally having my own hardwood floors. The tune stuck with me all these years and still, each morning when my feet hit those hardwood floors, it knocks me out of that "let me just get through this day" mode and puts me back into a place of gratitude.
Today something came across my radar in my morning meditation that describes this experience and sheds a new light on approaching our days:
"Most people are just trying to get through the day. Be committed to learn from the day. Don't just get through it; learn from it. Take from it. Let the day teach you. Join the university of life. What a difference that will make in your future. Commit yourself to learning. Commit yourself to absorbing. Be like a sponge. Get it. Don't miss it." ~ Jim Rhon
Even in the worst of times something can be gained from our days. Approach them with hope and gratitude. Take, like Jim Rhon says, what they have to offer. Everyday we live has something to add to our repertoire. Maybe instead of "Please Lord just let me get through this day", we should pray, "Please Lord, teach me through this day" and stay open to what may come our way in the next 24 hours.
And so, as another begins to go by, I will await the blessings and wisdom alike that my God wishes to bestow on me today, I'll peek around every corner with hope instead of trepidation, and ….I have written.
Hi, Linda. Just dropping by from the Ultimate Blog Challenge and wanted to say how much I enjoyed your post – and how much I resonate with your blog title! I started my blog as a way to get me into a regular writing routine, which it has done, but a lot of the blessing for me comes from the feedback and interaction I have from and with other bloggers. So when something speaks to me, as your post today has, I like to let you know! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Susan, for stopping by. Seems like were kindred spirits! I, too, love stopping by when a post speaks to me. So many have in this challenge and Ive really enjoyed it!
You cant give up on the things you love, not ever…
Charlotte ~ Private Practice
Sent from my iPhone…
Linda Bartosik 🙂
We may have been on a similar wavelength when writing our blog posts, Linda! My post today is about starting the day :o)
Thank you for your insights, I’m about to head into a little meditation session I couldn’t get around to at 6 this morning!
Vikki
(via Ultimate Blog Challenge)
Thanks for this, it’s a good reminder. I find making gratitude a routine in the morning is really helpful, because even if I don’t feel grateful, soon enough I ask myself what all this “thank you, thank you” is about, then I have to think of things to write in my journal, and it puts me in a good frame of mind.
Great post, Linda and I love the quote by Jim Rhon. In a sales seminar one time, the speaker shared a tip that every morning we should put our feet on the floor, clap and shout, “It’s going to be a great day.” It’s amazing what a small shift in our language can do for our attitude and energy throughout the day. Sometimes I have to make this mental shift several times throughout the day to stay in that attitude of openness, gratitude and learning.