Words to think about and try to live by

From Dear Abby, 1 January 2005

JUST FOR TODAY, I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all my problems at once. I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things I can correct and accept those I cannot.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I'll improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking. Just for today, I'll refrain from improving anybody but myself.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I'm overweight, I'll eat healthily -- if only just for today. And not only that, I'll get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

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I know that I am not perfect. Far from it (ask anyone who knows me). I don't make resolutions, because I know, not being perfect, that I cannot keep said resolutions. I jokingly tell people that I resolve to not make resolutions.

I read the above passage every year in Dear Abby's column, and I always mean to cut it out. This year, I did. It's in my daytimer. Since I use my daytimer all the time, I will always see it, and be reminded that life is lived one day at a time. Not a week, or a month, a year, or even a decade...but one freakin' day at a time!

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Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not as much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we are pardoned;
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

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That's all from where I sit.

--MorelaterZ--