Was anyone else surprised that Groucho Marx said something this insightful? No disrespect meant towards Groucho — but I think of him as the wisecracking guy with the ginormous eyebrows and the cigar.
I admire Groucho’s focus on each new day as it came — his realization that he couldn’t change yesterday or control tomorrow. And I like that he chose to be happy.
Each morning when I wake up, I say something too — usually reciting it out loud with my husband and youngest daughter: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 ESV)
By reciting that verse, we are reminding ourselves that God is in this day — and that we want to discover the reasons to celebrate waiting for us as CJ heads to middle school and Rob heads to work and I delve back into writing or edits.
In Your Words: How do you like to begin your day? Any special mottos — words or phrases or verses or songs — that help you center yourself?
Today: Choose to be happy in it. Click to Tweet
Yesterday – Tomorrow – Today: Which one do you have the power to change? Click to Tweet
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Comments 12
I find it amazing that one day time will end, but God is outside of time and is as constant as knowing the sun is always shining, even if there’s temporary cloud cover until the sun can burn through. Knowing what’s really constant and lasting helps everyday.
The saying I like is that there are no yesterdays in Christ – only tomorrows.
While this rather violates the ‘today’ theme, so much of what we do is foundation-building, for ourselves or others. It behooves us to enjoy the trip while we walk along the path we’re assigned.
I like that, Andrew. It reminds me of the quote that goes something like, “How we live today sets us up to have a better tomorrow.” I mauled it, but that’s the main idea.
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Andrew: Your perspective is always welcome here — you know that. And I always know it’s going to be a “yes, but …” or a “No, it’s more like this …” kind of perspective.
🙂
Beth, it does catch me off guard when jokesters say wise things, although it probably shouldn’t. It takes some smarts to be really funny. 🙂
I like the idea of having a morning mantra. Now, to figure mine out …
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Something like: Oh the places I’m going … Oh the people I have to see …
🙂
Here’s the thing with Groucho Marx–he actually said a lot of wise and insightful things. And a lot of hilarious things, too. And sometimes, a lot of wise and insightful things inside hilarious, satirical things. 🙂
Hmm, I don’t know if I’ve got a specific morning mantra…but I do try to spend some alone time with God each morning. On the days I don’t…I (and very possibly the people around me) can tell the difference.
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I read some about his life, Melissa. His real name was Julius Henry. And he went through 3 divorces. Three. And he wrote a book — I think the title was From Groucho with Love — based on letters to one of his daughters.
With the holiday season, my routine varies a bit, but opening the day with prayer and some Bible study time makes all the difference. I have favorite Bible scriptures (Jer 29:11, Heb 11:1, and so many more!) that I keep posted in my office. I also write down “power words” that I post on sticky notes throughout my house that uplift and motivate me.
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I’ve always liked your idea of power words, Cynthia. What are some of them?
I like to begin my day with a cup of coffee and my Bible, then Jesus Calling. When I don’t, my whole day is off-kilter. Great post…and no, it doesn’t surprise me Groucho Marx said something wise. A lot of what he said was wisdom cloaked in humor.
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I dip into Jesus Calling on occasion. When I do, I’m always encouraged.