Last night I was out the front of my house cleaning my motorbike when Mr Misery Guts (a pet name I’ve given him) from a few doors down, happened along. Stupidly, I asked how his day had been. If only I didn’t have the ‘friendly’ gene. What was I thinking? Anyway, goodbye twenty minutes, hello Energy Vampire. Apparently, he had the day from hell. He seems to have a lot of them. When I suggested that “tomorrow will be better”, he guaranteed me it wouldn’t be. I didn’t ask why not.
As he and his little dark misery cloud (the one hanging over his head) trudged home, it dawned on me how much our thinking dictates our reality. Yes, we’ve all got challenges (some more than others), and yes, we all have better and worse days, but BOY do some people make life hard.
“I’d rather expect disaster, then when it happens I have less chance of being hurt”, a lady told me recently.
“And how’s life workin‘ out for you?” I asked.
“Not so good.”
“No shit Sherlock.”
You know what I love about today? It’s the first, last and only December 4, 2007 I’ll ever have.
The only one you’ll ever have too. Yep, today is unique. A gift. If you didn’t know that, now you do. It might not feel unique to you, but that’s not the day, that’s you. Sure, there may be similar days, but you and I will never have this day again.
Too often our brain is pre-set to ‘auto-pilot’ and we simply go through the motions. We do (think, choose, react, behave, communicate) today exactly as we did yesterday, even though yesterday sucked. I know that even if I’m in the same situation as yesterday, today will be a more enjoyable, productive and fun day because I will be different in that situation. By choice.
I also know that the quality of my day is not dependant on what happens to me, or around me. And I know that what I do today, will be history tomorrow. So today is significant for me. I’ve decided to appreciate it and make the most of it. When others find reasons to complain, I will find reasons to celebrate.
Today is an opportunity for me to do things I’ve never done, big and small. Because that’s what I choose. Not because today’s the ‘right time’, not because it’s ‘easy or convenient’ and not because it’s what’s expected of me. No, today I will do something significant because I want to. It might only be significant for me, but that’s okay.
It’s a chance for me to stop waiting, procrastinating and talking, and to start doing. My day will be amazing, not because of what happens or doesn’t happen, but because of my attitude; the way I choose to experience today. I’ve learned that an incredible day is not about fate, destiny, chance or luck, but about the mindset I take into every situation, every conversation, every experience.
Today I will see opportunities where others see nothing.
I will see lessons where others see problems.
I will find reasons to be happy.
I will have a great day by choice.
And I will annoy the crap out of the woe-is-me brigade.
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Craig,
I moved to Melbourne from brisbane a few months ago and left behind my family, friends and network. I was 18 and going after my dream of pursuing acting. I found strength in a lot of your blogs and just wanted to thank you. You have a gift with words and how they move people.
It’s funny how you can go through life with people telling you things but until you actually realise it yourself or someone tells you a certain way, you don’t get it.
For the record – you’ve taught me that I have a choice to live an amazing life each and every day.
peace
“You know what I love about today? It’s the first, last and only December 4, 2007 I’ll ever have.”
Craig, don’t be so negative. Time travel could be invented within your life time.
Thanx Craig,
That was really good speech really confronting
Tuesday Dec. 4, 2007…
Dear Diary…..
Today was a day just like any other…. It was AMAZING…. Started a new job…. Got some more new clients…. Had some laughs…. Did some baking….(cheesecake anyone???? hehehe) Climbed a tree…. Swam in the ocean…. Went for a run…. Played with the kids…. Finished my course…. Shared some love with people I’ve never met before…. Who could ask for more really????….
All in a days work…. It’s tiring having such an ace life!!!!
KK
XXX
Expect disaster and you handle it better??!!!$$##@@. I hope you were coaching her! So you waste time worrying that something bad will happen and then it does, it feels better cos you were prepared? Sheeez. All my days may not be so amazing…but I always look forward to tomorrow being better. Keep the faith Craig…
I was going to make a quirky reply, but having read Sarah’s post above I won’t.
You can’t get better praise than that!! Well done Craig and gutsy move Sarah. I hope your dreams and aspirations come true!
Cheers….Skater Boy!
Hi Craig
the other day I lost my 4 year old daughter whilst at the super market. Blood drained to my feet and tears were streaming down my face as I was calling and calling for her ( she was quite a distance away). Every terrible scenario went through my mind as it does in every parents head. It aint the 70′s no more.
Once I found her and got to the check out, i couldnt find me credit card. The bird at the register said to me ( she noticed my hands still shaking and the teary state i was still in) and said
” wow, your day just keeps getting worse huh?”
To which I replied” Nope, My day got better. i found my child. I would rather loose 1000000 credits cards than deal with what could have been”.
she looked at me like i was nuts. I cried tears of relief all the way home.
xxelroy
Hi Sarah!!
How did you get so smart at 18?
At your age I was an idiot.
Sometimes I still am.
I’m glad you enjoy the site and I look forward to being updated on your acting career… will you still talk to me when you’re famous?
Peace and hugs
Hello Kel.
You speak so much truth Grasshopper. And at other times, not. I must say the concept of time travel appeals to me.
You never let me down Kel..
Nice day KK.
( )
Good to hear from you SB.
Man hug – ( )
Amen to that, Craig!
You have a way with words, my friend.
Quite often I find I have to surround myself with positive thinkers to allow me to be positive, or to put a different spit on that, I have to avoid the grumpy sods to stop myself being grumpy. Sometimes it’s hard to do that when my old man is a grumpy Yorkshire git, with the “if it’s outside Yorkshire it isn’t worth visiting” attitiude.
We get by though, and we also have those days when you walk through town with a spring in your step and a smile on your face, while all others rush around like headless chickens. Keep a smile on your face and a positive attitude naturally brings itself out to play.
Hi Craig,
I visited your site today for the first time in a while on impulse.
I was meant to, as I’ve had a not-so-great day (or two or three in a row), and now I know tomorrow will be great, so long as I choose it to be.
Thank you!
Ja-De
Yep, you can either wallow in your misery – make yourself more and more miserable – or you can get off your butt, make those changes and stop being a misery guts.
Between my own epiphany about comfort eating (which I blogged about – check it out I feel very smart LOL) and reading this article I am feeling pretty darn good. I think I’ve finally got my brain thinking the right way!!
Thanks Craig.
“I will see lessons where others see problems”
Reminds me of a quote “There are no problems only solutions”.
I had a great day too, I always do.
Hey Jamie. Thanks for dropping by.
Cheers.
Hi Ja-De… Good choice!
Enjoy your day.
Good for you Annie. Go hard Baby.
This post could not have come at a better time for me. I only wish it could have more of an impact.
I had to have my 16 year old daughter removed from my house today because she was suicidal and decided she wanted to try and beat me up. Yep, that’s indeed unique. (No sarcasm meant at all here)
I was hoping after my second day at a new job, that I could come home and continue the awesome headspace I had found myself in, but I hasn’t happened that way.
The only positive I can find in the whole sorry situation is that perhaps my daughter may get the help she needs now (although in Kalgoorlie I very much doubt it) and she may stop taking the family unit for granted.
I have to believe that this is the case. Don’t I? But right now, I think I just want to go and continue my good cry.
Thankyou for the brief glimmer of inspiration Craig, you never cease to help with that. Sorry to lower the tone!
Lisa Jane
Thanks for reminding why a relationship with someone i recently met will not work for me
Hi Lisa Jane.
I’m sorry to hear your news.
That’s tough.
Being a parent is the hardest gig.
A Craig hug for you ( ) – I have a post-grad degree in hugging.
Hey Craig!
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain!
Nuff said.
Happy December 4th…
and while you’re at it…
happy December 5th too!
PS- Thoughts and prayers are to you, Lisa Jane. Take care.
Jen from Mildura is SERIOUSLY on to it!
Hi Craig,
You held up a mirror to my soul.
I was like that once . . .but no more. It’s a real pain in the ass living that way.
Cheers,
Mark from HIGHETT, Vic.
Hey Lisa Jane,
I hope December 5 turned out better for you and that your daughter is okay.
You are in my prayers.
Mark from HIGHETT, Vic.
Good for you Mark.
Cheers.
Thanks Tam ( )
There is a good video by Judith Orloff M.D. on YouTube about energy vampires. Perhaps you will find it as informative as I did.