Today is a Special Gift
Everyday is
Nobody gets to know what day will be their last. Everyone who dies suddenly thought they had years or decades to live. Nobody knows they’re dying tomorrow. You never know when you’re waking up in the morning for the last time. Nothing is promised. Each day is a gift.
“If god adds the morrow we should accept it joyfully. The man who looks for the morrow without worrying over it knows a peaceful independence and a happiness beyond all others. Whoever said ‘I have lived’ receives a windfall every day he gets up in the morning.” (Seneca, Letter XII)
I look around and I think the biggest reason for sadness is taking the good for granted.
Understanding that absolutely nothing is promised to me has been life-changing. It makes the good times sweeter and the bad times easier.
I’m writing this at the airport. Of course the man beside me smells terrible. Of course my flight is delayed. Of course the terminal heating is jacked up way too high and I’m sweating.
Instead of focusing on my problems, I’m thankful for the brave men who lost their lives trying to build the first airplanes. I’m thankful for my financial ability to buy a flight. I’m thankful for the people I love who i’m leaving behind and the people I love who I get to fly to.
It’s not that I think gratitude is magical. It’s that it puts the bad in perspective. Things could always be worse. Nothing is promised. It’s my choice whether I focus on how things could be better or how they could be worse. One will make me mad. One will make me happy. The choice is entirely my own.
Question of The Day
What makes you mad? How could it be worse?
Find things to be grateful for today. Tomorrow is not promised.
Your Friend,
Noah “BigNerd” Sochaczevski