by Pat Nordman

This gem is from Everyday Religion, by Dr. Joseph Fort Newton:

Just for today let us adjust ourselves to what is, our family, our business, our luck, and not try to make the world over to suit us. It is a large order--if we cannot have what we like, maybe we can like what we have.

Just for today let us be agreeable, responsive, cheerful, charitable, be our best, dress our best, walk softly, praise people for what they do, not criticize them for what they cannot do, and if we find fault, forgive it and forget it.

Just for today suppose we do not hurry, or worry, or fly into a flurry, or hem and haw about a decision, but snap it out, cut the knot, and have done with it. It is amazing how indecision can tear one in two and wreck a day.

Just for today let us get people off our nerves, and not get on their nerves, appreciate the noble and gracious things they do--how brave and kind and lovely they are--often enough when their hearts are sore and heavy.

Just for today let us ditch all the grudges we have against life because it did not give what we thought we ought to have, as if anyone ever got all he wanted. Let us look at it with fresh eyes and discover the wonder of it.

Just for today let us study something useful which requires attention, concentration, and do a bit of real thinking. Also, let us do a good turn for someone on the sly and not get caught--else it does not count.

Just for today – every day – let us do at least two things we do not want to do, for exercise, to show that we are still boss. Let us not show anyone that our feelings are hurt; if they are hurt, let us hide it with a smile.

Just for today let us find or make a little time for quiet, to relax, to realize what life is and can be, and to resolve to make more of it; time to think about God and get things straight on the inside, untangled and clean.

Pat Nordman