Living in the Day
“Live in the day you’ve been given, instead of dwelling on the one you may not see.” – Marcus Rowe, 2010
I’ve been thinking a lot about the future. Perhaps too much. It’s easy to do, especially in the months leading up to Christmas. The kids force the issue with their constant “How many days until Christmas?” overtures. And yet, starting around Thanksgiving of this year, I started making a concerted effort to live life one day at a time, and to be thankful for each day lived. It sounds so simple. How hard could it be?
It’s actually quite difficult. As adults, we have so many “grown-up” concerns: The mortgage; the car payment; the bills in general; health issues; social issues; overloaded schedules; work deadlines; relationship issues; spiritual issues; the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, I am one of those people who feels that if I am not moving forward, I’m moving backwards. I feel as if a single day that does not show actual results of progress in some form or fashion is a total loss. That mentality is significantly at odds with trying to make the most of the very limited time I get to spend with two of my kids due to divorce. I want that time to be all about them, all about family.
And so, Thanksgiving and the several days after became my test run. I prayed for help in setting aside the many stressful concerns and fears that crowd my mind day in and day out, and I practiced “living in the day”. It was actually quite freeing in many ways. I felt as if the time I spent with family and friends was of a much higher quality – as if my heart was really in it.
Matthew 6:34 says, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (New Living Translation) That is often hard to remember. I am a planner. I want to plant the seeds that I know will flourish tomorrow and in the days to come. I want the daily reassurance that I am doing something right and beneficial. I now realize that there are other, less obvious ways in which I do and receive these things. I am planting seeds in the hearts and lives of my children and my wife. How much joy will seeing those seeds flourish in the days and years to come bring to my heart? I receive daily reassurance in the form of the love and hugs and kisses and laughter I see, hear, and feel in my home. Living in the day is all about enjoying the bountiful blessings I’ve been given. We are not promised tomorrow. We take for granted waking up each new morning. We are only given today.
Last night, as I was putting my daughter to bed, I shared with her a phrase I have often heard and liked: “It’s not about having what you want, it’s about wanting what you have.” I feel that this saying is particularly true in the light of the Christmas season. I admit that “what you have” includes a lot of stressful “grown-up” issues and situations. But as this week becomes the long Christmas weekend, take some time to look around you. There is so much to be thankful for. Cherish each day, and try to rid your mind of everything but family, thankfulness, and the reason for the season, the baby Jesus.
Little Drops of Nectar 
simply … wonderful. Cheers for Christmas!
Wow, I really enjoyed this. I am also a planner and find it hard to relax if progress is not in process. It was kind of relevatory for me to see one of my common behaviors laid out and so well analyzed. I didn’t get this done today…blah, blah, blah and so this contained many valuable reminders that I will TRY and adopt in 2011. Thanks! 🙂 Happy Holidays!!
Very good points! As a planner, I often find it difficult to live for the moment, as I feel that I have to have control of what’s coming down the pike. Life sure would be less stressful if I could learn to take your advice and live for the day/moment. It’s a goal.