Just for today

One of the biggest struggles I have is coming to the end of the day and feeling discontent with what I accomplished, or how I lived my day. I often find myself worrying that I didn’t do enough, or didn’t do the right things. This is discouraging and, I realize, a poor way to end my day.

I know that unless I fill my day with the things that are purposeful and meaningful and take me in the direction I want to go, it will still feel empty at the end. I just struggle with putting a system in place to accomplish just that.

So, I have been looking for creative ways to change this, to structure my day somehow so that it feels both fulfilling and freeing. Because I want to arrive at the end of every day and breathe a deep and satisfied breath knowing I did the really important things (the things that take me where I ultimately want to go in all aspects of my life), not just the immediate things which are never ending.

Recently I stumbled upon something by Sybil F. Partridge in a book I’m reading. It explains an exercise that struck a chord with me because of its practicality. I wanted to share it with you, perhaps it will be helpful for you too!

Just For Today by Sybil F. Partridge

Just for today I will be happy.

This assumes that what Abraham Lincoln said is true, that “most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Happiness is from within; it is not a matter of externals.

Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my desires.

I will take my family, my business, and my luck as they come and fit myself to them.

Just for today I will take care of my body.

I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, not abuse it nor neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind.

I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways.

I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. I will do at least two things I don’t want to do, as William James suggests, just for exercise.

Just for today I will be agreeable.

I will look as well as I can, dress as becomingly as possible, talk low, act courteously, be liberal with praise, criticize not at all, nor find fault with anything and not try to regulate nor improve anyone.

Just for today I will try to live through this day only.

Not to tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do things for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep them up for a lifetime.

Just for today I will have a program.

I will write down what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. It will eliminate two pests, hurry and indecision.

Just for today I will have a quiet half-hour all by myself and relax.

In this half-hour sometimes I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective into my life.

Just for today I will be unafraid.

Especially I will not be afraid to be happy, to enjoy what is beautiful, to love, and to believe that those I love, love me.

I love the practically of this exercise and am looking forward to giving it a try. I think it will make a big difference in how content I feel at the end of the day.

Photo Credit: SaturatedEyes via Compfight cc