I woke up early today, excited over all I get to

do before the clock strikes midnight.

I have responsibilities to fulfill today.

I am important.

My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy

or I can be thankful that the grass is

getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don’t have more money

or I can be glad that my finances encourage me

me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me

away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health

or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents

didn’t give me when I was growing up or I can

feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns

or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends

or I can excitedly embark upon a quest

to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work

or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

I can complain because I have to go to school or

eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new

tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do

housework or I can feel honored because the Lord

has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped.

And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me.

I get to choose what kind of day I will have!..

“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.”

-Dale Carnegie-

Submitted by Laura Jessup Bruner

– Author Unknown