Live for Today

“Live your life as though this is the day for which you want to be remembered.”      

We spend so much of our time planning for the future (not a bad thing) and looking back at the past (can be useful, but generally not) that we miss out on the importance of the present moment.  It is often a good idea to take each day as being a complete statement about your life.  Not necessarily in what is happening to you, but in how you are responding to what is happening to you.

I recently had a week of extra challenges physically, on top of the challenges that have become a routine part of my life, which I am usually able to handle in such a way that no one knows that I am challenged at all.  I became irritable, defensive, and generally unpleasant to be around.  I gave myself a pass due to being stressed by my physical condition, until I heard the quote above.  I had to stop and realize the importance of meeting the challenges of each day with an attitude that reflects who and what I really am.  And, when possible, to meet each day with behaviors and actions that reflect what I am striving to accomplish, my dreams, my goals, and values.

Try looking at each day as a complete statement about you and your life.  Give some thought to how you are remembered each day, and how your attitudes and actions leave an impression of you.

Christopher Knippers, Ph.D.                                                   January 18, 2017