Time is precious commodity

Today is all we have. We cannot go back and relive yesterday. Neither can we live tomorrow today. Psychologists agree that one of the main hindrances to victorious living is looking back.

Past hurts, guilt and remorse lead to despair. Dwelling on the past impedes moving forward, stifles success and promotes illness. We lose sight of Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust the LORD with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success” (NCV).

Each day is an opportunity to be happy. All of us have the same amount of time. God is in the “now” of life.

Have you had trouble? Sorrow? Did someone do you wrong? Welcome to the club. We’ve all been touched by hurt and pain, but we don’t have to allow the past to rob us of the joy of today. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 NCV).

We can only live one day at a time. We cannot save, loan or borrow time. Time is a precious commodity to be spent well:

• Give your spouse flowers today. “Dead noses do not smell roses.”

• Today is the day to appreciate the beauty of sunsets, the wonder of a rainbow and the smell of new mown hay. Not one stem grows without God’s permission.

• Express appreciation today to someone you have long admired. Whatever comes your way today, be joyful. God has given you today and you do have a choice. What you do with it is up to you. You can make your own unhappiness or you can say, “God, I thank you for today.

I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

• It is the person who stays in the fight that wins the prize. An attitude of gratitude brings happiness in the midst of difficult circumstances. Being happy despite what events occur, displays courage, faith and persistence.

• Today is a new day. Now is the time to live … right now … this very moment. Savor it. Relish the time.

• Happiness is everyday things … a smile, a hug, a handshake, a sunset, a friendly face.

• Happiness is being grateful for being alive, being able to walk, to see, to hear, to be the best you can be.

• Happiness is looking into the face of a loved one and saying, “I love you.”

• Happiness comes from being grateful, thinking positively, praying without ceasing, being a good listener, being a good example, helping and cheering up others, looking for the good in everyone, knowing that God is always with you.

Open your heart to God’s love today. Being happy reduces stress, anticipates hope and optimism, attracts others and brings hope and health. Know that, “A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick”” (Proverbs 17:22 TLB).

I dare you to hug life with a giant-sized bear hug. Life is all around you just waiting to be hugged. Life hugs me back when an ex-student calls me long distance just to say, “Hello.” I hug life when snow decorates our evergreen trees and they look like Christmas cards. Life hugs me when neighbors wave and say, “Good Morning!”

Today is God’s gift just for you. Open it with gladness, because there’s a happy day inside. Today is a new day. Now is the time to live…right now…this very moment. Savor the moment and relish the time. Those who fly on wings of love soar through the heavenlies on clouds of delight. For a blessed happy life, think big with faith and courage. You will enter a new life of hope.

Life is too delicious to be unhappy!