Elaine Hanzak's Blog: 'Today I will make a difference'

Last week when I posted about the fact I was moving out of the home I shared with Clive back to be near my family, I concluded by posing the question about making each day count. Clive often spoke about how we 'only have today'. Losing him so suddenly really woke me up to that.

One my business colleagues and friends, Mike Coote, of Stratagem Plus Group, read my blog and showed me that he had featured this quote on his Linkedin account last week.

Today I Will Make a Difference By Max Lucado

"Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimised by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stop lights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's OK to stumble...I will get up. It's OK to fail...I will rise again. Today I will make a difference. Sometimes life just feels like an insurmountable obstacle. Too many things don't go our way... That's the time to reflect and give thanks for everything we have in our lives..."

Powerful words Mike - thank you for sharing them.

As I write this I ask those of you who believe in the power of prayer to have Don Hales in yours. I have just read that he has had a massive heart attack and is in a critical condition. Don has to be one of the kindest men I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I first met him when I had joined the PSA and I spoke at the East chapter many years ago. Since then we have stayed in touch. He also knew Clive well and we were all due to meet up earlier this year. Don came along to the Golf Day for Clive's foundation in the summer.

He had posted proudly on Facebook about his new grand-daughter at the weekend. I hope and pray that Don makes a speedy recovery.

I am not living my life now with a pessimistic 'I could be dead tomorrow' approach yet rather one of 'I want to make each day count, being gracious for all the many blessings I have, feeling I have been the best I could be and spending it with those who are precious to me'.

How do you live your life?

Elaine x