Start with a smile...

“Start each day with a smile, and get it over with.” ~ W.C. Fields

Even optimistic people have bad days – that’s what gives them the greatest opportunity to show their strength. I don’t consider myself a complete optimist. I wish I could, but for the time being, let’s just say that I’m trying.

A couple of years ago, I picked up Sacred Hoops, written by one of the greatest coaches of all time, Phil Jackson. In it, he describes – I don’t even know what to label it; a philosophy, phenomenon, etc. – called mindfulness. That is, living life mindfully, melding action and thought into one so that you experience whatever it is you’re doing, fully. In living and appreciating each moment, each action, etc, I’ve noticed a great change in me.

Waking up in the morning, for example, is probably the hardest thing I have to do each day…literally. Whether it’s during the freezing winters or the warm summers, being woken up by the annoying sound of an alarm before I feel I am ready to face the universe, is agonizing. But I, and most of you, get up anyway because it’s what we’re supposed to do (gosh, we’re all so responsible).

So, to make mornings more bearable, the first thing I do is say, “Thank you.” Actually, it’s more like, “You’re giving me another day to make up for how I screwed up yesterday? Thanks, God!” And for whatever reason, that does the trick. I’ve learned that exercising a little gratitude goes a long way, especially if the long way is in the form of an 8-hour work day.