It’s Christmas time, which means, It’s a Wonderful Life is
making the rounds again. I like the movie because I think George Bailey’s
experience is one that resonates with many of us. We spend our lives taking
care of our kids, our spouses and the ones around us and, at some point begin
to wonder, what difference have I made?
We may look back and not be very impressed with our body of work. I can easily see mistakes, failures, blunders and weaknesses that are painful to look at. Cutting words to people I love, wasted hours when action was needed, indifference to those in need.
If that’s true for you, remember this: as much as you want a “do over” yesterday is gone. It’s been sucked into the abyss and there’s nothing you can do about it. The good news is, your mistakes have gone with it.
There is nothing you can do about yesterday, but today is a different story. Today is day one. You can start over. Try again, make amends, get help, invest in others, hug your family, work hard, play, celebrate, hope, love.
But maybe you look back, like George Bailey and see the impact your life has had, the people who have been touched, the lives that have been changed. Maybe there is much to feel good about and be thankful for.
If that’s true for you, remember this: as warm and comfortable as reflection feels, yesterday is gone. It’s been sucked into the abyss and with it has gone your glory. The good news is today is a new adventure.
You cannot rest on past successes. Relationships demand ongoing engagement, investment and growth. Without it, a life grows stale, shallow and meaningless. Yesterday is gone, what have you done for me lately?
The pain or praise of yesterday may have shaped today’s reality. We can’t change that. But today… today is something I can do something about. That’s why, his mercies are new every morning.
We may look back and not be very impressed with our body of work. I can easily see mistakes, failures, blunders and weaknesses that are painful to look at. Cutting words to people I love, wasted hours when action was needed, indifference to those in need.
If that’s true for you, remember this: as much as you want a “do over” yesterday is gone. It’s been sucked into the abyss and there’s nothing you can do about it. The good news is, your mistakes have gone with it.
There is nothing you can do about yesterday, but today is a different story. Today is day one. You can start over. Try again, make amends, get help, invest in others, hug your family, work hard, play, celebrate, hope, love.
But maybe you look back, like George Bailey and see the impact your life has had, the people who have been touched, the lives that have been changed. Maybe there is much to feel good about and be thankful for.
If that’s true for you, remember this: as warm and comfortable as reflection feels, yesterday is gone. It’s been sucked into the abyss and with it has gone your glory. The good news is today is a new adventure.
You cannot rest on past successes. Relationships demand ongoing engagement, investment and growth. Without it, a life grows stale, shallow and meaningless. Yesterday is gone, what have you done for me lately?
The pain or praise of yesterday may have shaped today’s reality. We can’t change that. But today… today is something I can do something about. That’s why, his mercies are new every morning.
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