Today Matters, Part I

I suspect it would take a number of intelligent musings and insightful observations before I can redeem my reputation following last week’s spate of reckless revelations (grin). Managed to stay put in the house during the weekend and finished a book I’ve been reading on and off for the past 3 months.

Book Title: Today Matters, by John C. Maxwell
About the author: John Maxwell is an excellent writer and motivator. A priest by training, his work has developed into motivation and leadership training that can be easily understood and applied by everyone. He doesn’t write endless theories; rather, he compiles a series of materials, quotes and examples to illustrate his carefully chosen points. His books are very readable and highly recommended. I’d like to share parts of this book with all of you.

Why today? The answer can be found in this poem “The Lifebuilder’s Creed” written by a man called Dale Witherington.

Today is the most important day of my life.
Yesterday with its successes and victories, struggles and failures is gone forever.
The past is past.
Done.
Finished.
I cannot relive it. I cannot go back and change it.
But I will learn from it and improve my Today.

Today. This moment. NOW.
It is God’s gift to me and it is all that I have.

Tomorrow with all its joys and sorrows, triumphs and troubles isn’t here yet.
Indeed, tomorrow may never come.
Therefore, I will not worry about tomorrow.

Today is what God has entrusted to me.It is all that I have. I will do my best in it.
I will demonstrate the best of me in it –
My character, giftedness and abilities—
To my family and friends, clients and associates.
I will identify those things that are most important to do Today,
And those things I will do until they are done.
And when this day is done
I will look back with satisfaction at that
Which I have accomplished.

Then, and only then, will I plan my tomorrow,
Looking to improve upon Today, with God’s help.

Then I shall go to sleep in peace… content.

… to be continued.