Developing an Attitude of Gratitude

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

This morning I woke up with a reminder that I MUST continue to develop my attitude of gratitude each and every day

I have been reading a book called The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino. In it he has given us 10 scrolls that we are supposed to read, but the catch is that we are supposed to read each one for an entire month straight before moving on to the next one. And I have been doing that, reading one scroll every day for a month before moving on, no matter how tempting it is.

Getting past yesterday

This morning this is how the scroll started out:

I will live this day as if it is my last.

And what shall I do with this last precious day which remains in my keeping? First, I will seal up its container of life so that not one drop spills itself upon the sand. I will waste not a moment mourning yesterdays misfortunes, yesterday’s defeats, yesterday’s aches of the heart, for why should I throw good after bad?

Can sand flow upward in the hour glass? Will the sun rise where it sets and set where it rises? Can I relive the errors of yesterday and right them? Can I call back yesterday’s wounds and make them whole? Can I become younger than yesterday? Can I take back the evil that was spoken, the blows that were struck, the pain that was caused?

No. Yesterday is buried forever and I will think of it no more.

Living in the past. Being worried about what happened yesterday or last week or….. Been there done that. Sad part is that for all of my worrying and attempted cover ups, there was really nothing I could do about it other than trying to do the right thing just for today.

Living in yesterday means that today will be wasted. So instead of trying to accomplish something, I would be thinking of how something did not work yesterday so why bother? What a waste that was. Start each day with a clean slate, give yourself a break.

Tomorrow never comes

And what then shall I do?

Forgetting yesterday neither will I think of tomorrow. Why should I throw now after maybe? Can tomorrow’s sand flow through the glass before today’s? Will the sun rise twice this morning? Can I perform tomorrow’s deeds while standing in today’s path? Can I place tomorrow’s gold in today’s purse? Can tomorrow’s child be born today? Can tomorrow’s death cast its shadow backward and darken today’s joy? Should I concern myself over events which I may never witness? Should I torment myself with problems that may never come to pass? No! Tomorrow lies buried with yesterday, and I will think of it no more.

I will live this day as if it is my last.

Maybe I’ll start tomorrow. How many times have I said that? Putting conditions on life to where something will be started if everything is just right. If all the planets align and the temperature is just right, then and only then will I get started. OK, maybe that is a little bit of an exaggeration….or is it?

Waiting for that perfect moment is just….well…waiting.

Living In The Day

I have but one life and life is naught but a measurement of time. When I waste one I destroy the other. If I waste today I destroy the last page of my life. Therefore, each hour of this day will I cherish for it can never return. It cannot be banked today to be withdrawn on the morrow, for who can trap the wind? Each minute of this day will I grasp with both hands and fondle with love for its value is beyond price. What dying man can purchase another breath though he willingly give all his gold? What price dare I place on the hours ahead? I will make them priceless!

I will live this day as if it is my last.

When you think about it, all we really have is right now. And that is really all we need, isn’t it? Being grateful for what I do have and not worrying about what I don’t. Making each day, each hour, each moment count. Living your life every day is what God wants for us in my belief.

Doing the best that I can and knowing at the end of the day, that I did….no regrets.

Idle Mind, Idle Heart are the devil’s playground

I will avoid with fury the killers of time. Procrastination I will destroy with action; doubt I will bury under faith; fear I will dismember with confidence. Where there are idle mouths I will listen not; where there are idle hands I will linger not; where there are idle bodies I will visit not. Henceforth I know that to court idleness is to steal food, clothing, and warmth from those I love. I am not a thief. I am a man of love and today is my last chance to prove my love and my greatness.

I will live this day as if it is my last.

I was not put on this world to sit by and watch it go by. God  has a purpose for me, but it will not be fulfilled unless I do my part. Taking action every day, growing and learning. Staying teachable and doing my best to help others

If this is my last day….

And if it is my last, it will be my greatest monument. This day I will make the best day of my life. This day I will drink every minute to its full. I will savor its taste and give thanks. I will maketh every hour count and each minute I will trade only for something of value. I will labor harder than ever before and push my muscles until they cry for relief, and then I will continue. I will make more calls than ever before. I will sell more goods than ever before. I will earn more gold than ever before. Each minute of today will be more fruitful than hours of yesterday. My last must be my best.

I will live this day as if it is my last.

And if it is not, I shall fall to my knees and give thanks.

Amen!

Make it a great day!

Mark and Michelle Eaves