Motivation for Mondays

I ran across this quote by our former President sometime ago and well, it has single handedly taken away my excuses for just about everything.

When I consider the quote “do what you can, with what you have, where you are” I immediately see opportunities to do more in just about any area.

But I like my excuses sometimes. I like to say I’m too tired when the truth is I’m too lazy. I like to hold onto my excuses like a warm snuggly blanket that comforts me. It’s nice sometime when I need a break. Sometimes I like to not be actively involved in the world and hid away in my little corner. And that is OK…

But the truth is I don’t need excuses or a break everyday. Some days I really am tired, but most days I could push myself just a little further in whatever area it is. Ole Theodore has made sure of that with his 3 lined quote. Maybe I could just show a little more compassion or kindness as I am going about my day.  Maybe be nice to the cashier who seems to have a bad attitude when what I don’t know, is every customer she has help has been over the top rude to her and maybe she’s just a little defensive and fed up. Maybe I could run just one more lap than I did yesterday and prove to myself just how strong my body really is.  Maybe I could enroll in that class I’ve been considering. Maybe I could “practice what I preach” to my children and be an example and not just a dictator. Maybe I could use patience when I am trying to teaching  my kids something instead of getting frustrated when they don’t get it right on the first few tries. Maybe I could buy breakfast for the person in line behind me at McDonalds. Maybe I could just make sure my face has a smile and not a scowl. Maybe I could make sure my widowed elderly neighbor is not in need of anything….especially some company. Maybe I could be the type person that people enjoy to run into at the supermarket and not one where they want to duck their heads and hurriedly try to make it to the next aisle without making eye contact. Maybe I could just be a good friend and listen to their problems or situations half as much as they have listened to mine. Maybe I could show the one that has my heart, that I do indeed love them every single day. Maybe I could not get so caught up in the few little pesky things in my life I wish would change, but I could be thankful for the tremendous, countless blessings I’m given on a daily basis. Maybe I could show love, understanding, grace, comfort, and mercy to others as I feel that God has so freely shown to me. Maybe I could realize that someone I talk to today may be going through a really hard time in their life and they probably don’t need my attitude, rudeness, or short words to add to their bad day. Maybe I could take note of that mom in the store with her small baby, bags under her eyes from spending the night in a rocking chair comforting her baby, just trying to get at least a few things on the list before it is time to get feed the baby again,  and maybe I could just put my hand on her shoulder as I pass by and say, “Mom, you are doing a great job”. Maybe I could open my front door, my fridge full of take out left overs and my momma’s cooking, my conversation, and my heart to anyone that happens to stop by.  Maybe I could even let my friend know that there is a boogie hanging out of her nose so that she don’t have to go around all day wondering why people are staring…

That’s a lot of maybes. But just maybe I could take the time to “do what I can” today and  it would not only make a difference in someone else’s day, but maybe I could sleep better tonight knowing I was a good, kind, generous, caring, compassionate, encouraging, or a strong person today.

Most of the time it is not one major decision that shapes our lives, but our small, daily decisions that makes us how we are. And let’s face it, when you can say “I did all I could do” then it puts you in a position to be able to accept the outcome (good, bad, or ugly). It is only when we know we have held back and not given our all, for whatever reason, that we are faced with grief and regret.

Now, GO…

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. No excuses!