Learn from Yesterday, Live for Today, and Hope for Tomorrow

As Christmas is now in our rearview mirror, I still have so many things rattling around in my head.  I want to learn from yesterday and not make the same mistakes I’ve made in the past.  But first and foremost, I want to live for today, as tomorrow is not guaranteed.

When I worked with the elementary and middle school youth at my former church in Colorado, one of the adults that often volunteered with the high school youth, Owen, was exceptional at living for today.  He reminded all of us to be present in the moment. He constantly smiled, hugged you, and spouted positive things for us to ponder. And when others later spoke about Owen after he passed away from cancer, that is what they remembered the most. He rarely talked about the past, which he was not fond of.  You see, he was a Vietnam Veteran who became hooked on drugs while serving.  Who contracted Hepatitis C yet healed from it.  Owen was such an inspiration to all of us.

Often, we are preoccupied with things we hope to accomplish today.  What errands do I need to take care of?  What phone calls do I need to make?  Am I forgetting anyone’s birthday today?  Did I forget to sync my phone calendar with the paper calendar on my desk?

I was told once that this attitude reflects that I am invincible.  Like I’m the only person that can take care of things.  That is an air of arrogance. But really, I do not think that way.  If you believe in the birth order book, I’m the firstborn, an “A” type personality, feeling that I need to do everything right or try to be perfect. This road can be daunting.

When discussing hope for tomorrow, I’m talking about the belief that tomorrow will be better for all of us and that we individually have a responsibility to do our best to make it so.   And you ask, how do we do that?  By serving others - our community and neighborhood.  By volunteering where we feel the call to reach out and help in one form or another.  It won’t be the same way each of us serves. That is an individual preference.

Tomorrow may hold the answer to today’s trials. Often, we ask ourselves why are we going through this.  Why is this happening to me?  What did I do to deserve this?  Sometimes we ask these questions when good things happen to us.  We are grateful yet apprehensive.

The best advice I can offer others is to remain reflecting on your attitude of gratitude so that no matter your circumstances, you stay happy and are a joy to be around.  Meditation can help us discern the situation and how we react to it.  I have also used the services of a counselor when needing professional opinions and suggestions during difficult times.

My hope for 2023 for each of my readers is that you flourish and have a healthy, happy new year.

(The above phrase by: Albert Einstein)

All my best,

Julie