Essence of a New Day
M Adam Roberts

This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day, to do with what you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in it's place will be something that you have left behind. Let it be something good.

I was walking through a Thrift Store, about a month ago, when I found these words, written upon a plaque, hanging on a wall, above the desk of the store manager. There was a small note attached to the plaque, which read, Not for sale.

I pulled a small notebook, from my pocket, and started to write the words down, when the manager, saw me doing it, and approached me.

She said, I have a file of that saved on my computer. I can make a copy for you if you would like.

That would be great!, I said. I thanked her for her kindness.

A few minutes later, she came back and handed me a beautiful picture, of a new day rising, with the words, above, written below it.

Although it was just some words printed out on a cheap piece of paper, I realized its true value. I realized the importance of what those words said.

I went, directly, and bought a frame for the picture. It now hangs on my bedroom wall, to remind me, each morning, of the gift given to me, and the responsibility I have to make good use of it, and not waste it.

I've meditated on these words a lot, since acquiring them and one of the first things that comes to my mind, as I read these words over again, is that, it is not so much a responsibility, that I have, each new day, as it is, an opportunity!

What incredible things we can accomplish, with our lives, if we only set our hearts and minds to it!

This morning, I awoke, and began to write out a list of things I wanted to accomplish, today. As I filled out my list, I began to realize how many opportunities I have to do great things today!

I can change my whole world, beginning right now! And I can bless others, too.

Today offers me a brand-new start, a brand new opportunity!

It's all up to me, what I will make of it.

Am I going to lay around, watch television and waste this precious gift that has been given to me, or am I going to force myself up, and make great things happen, today?

Choices! Choices! choices!

It begins, for me, with breakfast.

Do I grab a couple of Little Debbie snack cakes, and a large glass of whole fat milk, as I head out the door, for work, or will I wake up a little earlier, each day, and take the time to fix myself a wholesome breakfast, that will benefit my health?

With this day, will I choose to clog my arteries, and make myself fat,by making poor dietary choices, or will I choose to be strong, and disciplined, and make wiser food and beverage choices, that I may live long, and prosper?

Do I need to exercise? Am I going to force my body to be strong, and active, today, or am I going to lie around the house, and be a couch potato, while drinking soda pop, and munching on potato chips?

Not all the money in the world will buy back our health, once it is lost. It is priceless. Without your health, your quality of life eases off and joy is harder to find. Without it, we die.

We need to choose, today, to cherish our health, and protect it.

Breakfast is over and a new day has begun!

What do I want to make happen, today?

Let's see, I don't even want to consider wasting the day, with a lazy, negative attitude, so let me consider some positive ideas that I may put into action, starting right now.

I can begin learning to play the guitar. I've always wanted to do that.

I can write an article, and try to help others see how important their life is, regardless of whom they are, or where they're at, or what they've been through.

I could call up some friends , and family members, that I haven't talked to in a while, and let them know that I'm thinking about them, and that I love, and care about them.

Ican start being a better father, to my kids.

I can get to know my grandchildren better, and start playing an active role in their lives.

I can visit someone that is widowed, lonely or sick and offer them my help, and friendship.

I can volunteer, at a local charity.

I could help someone, who is illiterate, learn how to read and write.

I can ask someone that I have offended, to forgive me, or I can offer my forgiveness, to someone who has needed it from me, for along time.

I can bring a peace into the world.

I can find someone to encourage, today.

I can smile at people, and be nice.

I can go the extra mile, at work today, and do more than is expected of me.

I can pray for someone, who I know needs prayer.

I could fix myself a pitcher of Ice Tea, go to the park, and read a good book, that will lift my spirit, and inspire me, to be a more positive person.

I could go to the beach, at sunset, and walk, barefoot, in the sand and watch the seagulls play.

I could take a ballroom dancing class, at the community center, and possibly meet a nice lady there. That would be nice.

I could call up a friend, and go fishing down at the Pier.

I could take a long bike ride, along the bike path, and enjoy the nature.

I can take the first step towards starting that business I've always wanted own, so that I can bless others, through it.

I can show love, and appreciation, to someone who feels unloved, and unappreciated.

I can show understanding, towards someone who feels misunderstood.

I can perform a random act of kindness toward a complete stranger.

I can offer my help to someone who is unable to help themselves.

I can offer hope to the hopeless, faith, to the faithless, and strength to the weak.

I can offer love, and mercy, to the poor.

There are thousands of different things I could do, today, that would make this day count for something positive. It's easy to do, I just have to be willing to do it.

Tomorrow, this day will be gone, forever, along with the opportunities that may have been available, only today.

In some instances, tomorrow is too late.

Whether I will leave behind a day of positive achievement, or a day of regret, remains to be seen. It's all up to me to make that choice; what I will do, and what I will not.

We have been given this day to do what we will. What we choose to do today is important, because we will be exchanging a day of our lives for it.

We only have so many days to live, and make a difference, in this world, before it will be time for us to go.

Let's make everyone of them count for something good.