Vintage Inspiration: Just For Today
/One Day At A Time
I think we are all remembering to value each day a little more in these uncertain times.
“Staying present” as we are all encouraged to do these days isn’t a new concept by any means. The motivational piece in this video was written in 1921 . My first encounter with it was when I read Dale Carnegie's "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living."
A 10 Step Guide to living in the present, written in 1921. (Note: If you have trouble seeing the video, it may be due to an adblocker. Turn it off and try again or click on the Youtube link and watch it there.)
Carnegie devoted a chapter of the book to living in “day-tight compartments.” He prefaced it with "Just For Today," attributing it to Sybil Partridge which apparently was an error. It was originally copyrighted by Frank Crane. The message of the chapter, however, was unmistakable.
“The future is today. There is no tomorrow. The day of man’s salvation is now. Waste of energy, mental distress, nervous worries dog the steps of a man who is anxious about the future. Shut close, then the great fore and aft bulkheads, and prepare to cultivate the habit of life of ‘day-tight compartments.”
As the entire nation and the world is grappling with an uncertain tomorrow, we have no choice but to take heed of this wisdom and proceed one a day at a time. With each new sunrise, I am holding on to the things I know for certain right now. I know that for the moment I am safe, I am warm, I love and I am loved.
I also know that in the story of our lives, the current waters we are navigating will be significant and also may in retrospect be of more significance to some than to others in either a positive or negative way. Whether this period of time in our history will be summed up for each person in a sentence, a paragraph, a page or a chapter, for none of us does it comprise the entire book. For most of us at this moment, we cannot know how it ends or what the significance will be. I think we all wonder about that right now.
The Meaning in Suffering
It has been my experience that while we all try to fit the meaning of any given situation into the story of our lives, it is generally in the aftermath of an unexpected difficulty that we decide what that meaning was.
I pray that we will each have the opportunity to assign that meaning as we look back and remember what we feared and how we managed that fear. We may recall the bravery, kindness, or unfortunate callousness we witnessed. We might reflect on what we did to alleviate the suffering—our own and that of others. We may use it as a catalyst for change or an opportunity to grow. For some there will be reasons for regret and for others there will be gratitude for grace. It is likely that most people will recall things in a way that encompasses both the dark and light of the current landscape.
I believe the way through these trying times is to focus as much as possible on the day right in front of us and take every opportunity to notice all of it—the good and the not-so-good—and decide not only what we think about it but what we can do right now, in this moment, to rejoice and be glad.
“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon—instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.”
It is difficult to focus on this day only and not to worry when so many things are still unknown and so many of our friends and neighbors are suffering. That is where perspective comes in. Although so much is uncertain right now, I think it is important to remember how often our lives are defined by things we never could have foreseen.
Some of those unexpected things cause suffering. A great number of them also give us joy. Fortunately, we can choose how we will respond to any circumstance. Even the misfortunes can be approached with a joyful and grateful heart. If we all learn as much as we can and act upon that knowledge, bringing cheer and comfort to those in distress in the process, perhaps that will make the greatest difference in how this story unfolds.
“Anyone can carry his burden, however hard, until nightfall,” wrote Robert Louis Stevenson. “Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, till the sun goes down. And this is all that life really means.”
It truly is just for today wherein we have the opportunity to create the very moments that make this life worth living. Today we can extend a kindness. Some might discover or rediscover a way to share their time, talents, and hearts. We may take a moment to be grateful. It is all in front of us. The choice is ours.
“Every day is a new life to a wise man”
Choose wisely.
Lynn
