Reflection: “Just for Today”

After several days of burning the candle at both ends  (I always tackle new things that way) I determined to sit down tonight and read. Just read. Not for a project, not to find out something, or search for an answer — just read.

I picked up a volume passed on to me from Dad’s library entitled Dale Carnegie’s Scrapbook.  Carnegie was an avid collector of thoughts and quips, and while he used quotes sparingly in his writings, he loved the idea of using someone else’s words to help him say something in conversation.  This book was compiled after his death by his wife, Dorothy Carnegie.   I found something on page 80 that’s worth some thought.   It’s a lengthy quote from the pen of Sybyl F. Partridge, who wrote poems and hymns in the early 20th century but didn’t want her real name known until after she was gone.  She went simply by S.M.X.   (You can explore if you want to know what S.M.X. stands for, it’s out there)

At any rate, these are thought provoking and encouraging paragraphs, especially in a month when things fly by, in a year nearly gone, and in the couple weeks prior to a new one beginning.

Read –

Ponder –

and Enjoy –

“Just For Today”

“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 own 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, hurrying 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.”