Have you ever wondered how a bad day starts? Did we get out of bed in a bad mood? Did something happen early on in the morning that soured our outlook for the day? Did a conversation, or an interaction with someone make our day suddenly a downer?
I haven’t been going on my morning walks for awhile and just began again a couple weeks ago. One thing I’ve noticed is, I don’t feel as stiff and creaky as I did when I wasn’t walking in the mornings. That’s of course, a great benefit. Its also a great benefit to me when I walk, I get to clear my mind, I get to focus on my surroundings, and I get to let God welcome me to the day. These are all wonderful attributes to my morning walk.
But what about when I first wake up? How do I start the day? Do I start it with left over anxiety, anger, fear, sadness? All of those things can and do have a tendency at times to follow us into our new day.
I think its really about attitude. What things do we carry with us that are better left in yesterday? Did whatever made us angry with our significant other follow us into this morning? Should we let it stay with us? Or is it better left behind? I know sometimes the cause of our differences with those who are close to us can’t simply be ignored. But how we handle them, and how we let our emotions from the former day impact us, all play a part in how our current day will go. Will we approach those we have differences with, in a different manner, in a calmer more measured and thoughtful manner? These can make the difference in how today will go.
Our attitude when we first open our eyes to a new day can and will set the tone for what is to follow. If we are carrying left over stuff on our shoulders, that can affect our attitude for the day. If we are fearful of something that we know is coming our way, that can affect our attitude also.
I believe the main thing that can direct our attitude for today is gratitude. If we wake up feeling grateful to be alive, and grateful for the new day, and grateful for all God has done, is doing and will do, our attitude will adjust to be the most positive it can be. Our attitude can’t change the weather, it might still be dreary. Our attitude can’t necessarily change the circumstances we have to deal with. Our attitude may not change how others interact with us. What our attitude does do is, it affects us. How we look at the day before us has a huge impact on how it will turn out. If we are grateful from the moment we open our eyes, then we will see the world through eyes that are colored by our gratitude.
More than the exercise, the stretching of my muscles and tendons, more than getting the cobwebs out of my brain, I think my walk gives me ample time to reflect on all I am grateful for. And I am grateful my friends. I’m grateful for all God has done to bring me to this point in my life. I know there are many that didn’t reach the age I have attained. I know there are many whose blessings are not as bountiful as the ones I have received. I am grateful for all I have been blessed with. And I am grateful for God allowing me to have you in my life. God is good to us my friends.
I think the day ahead is going to be better than I can even imagine. I’m going to express my gratitude by how I interact with those around me. I want to give more than I take, I want to leave each personal contact feeling the love God has given me.
We can do this, we can see the world as filled with God’s goodness, and then we can let our day be spent spreading that goodness all around us. May your day ahead be the most amazing and wonderful experience ever.
Your companion on the Way,
Pastor Tom