Dr. Stan J. Tharp, MBA

Last month I started sharing my ten wake up thoughts I try to verbalize every morning. I admit I don’t say them every morning because either I wake up busy and forget, or wake up stressed and don’t FEEL like being positive.

These thoughts are a motivating blend of psychological and theological truth, blended with helpful life experience (and I’m old enough to qualify for having a LOT of life experience.)

Thought 1 of 10 was: “TODAY IS GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY.”

The next thought helps you be ready for the mix of things that happen each day. Typically, both good and not-so-good things happen. Sometimes what happens is wonderful, sometimes horrible, mostly, just your average daily ups and downs. Our next wake-up thought is based on the reality that you have already lived through and survived your worst (and best) days:

Thought 2 of 10: “Whatever happens today, God and I can handle it.”

How we respond to daily circumstances definitely helps set the trajectory of our life. I’ve heard this thought elsewhere on podcasts when the host suggested “Whatever happens today, I can handle it.” I understand and admire their sentiment, but as for me (based on my personal faith)…I need God’s help added in.

That may seem like a no brainer, as in, “Well of course, if you have God’s help I’d hope you can handle anything!” But you would be surprised how many people of faith still panic regularly at life’s challenges and too many of these people are convinced of their defeat before they start the fight. Too many people drown themselves in self pity or self doubt, or God-doubt (as in “God where are you? God why did this happen? etc.)

If you happen to be new to this planet, (sarcasm intended) here is important news: good and bad happen regularly. As such, do yourself a favor and get used to it. Stop panicking in problems. Stop stressing over struggles. Tell yourself the truth: “Whatever happens today, God and I can handle it.” Then…prayerfully, handle it!

This simple confidence booster is based on the ancient rhetorical question about the challenges in life: “What then shall we say to these things, If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

So, based on the research of Dr. Daniel Amen mentioned in the previous “Wake up” post; start tomorrow by saying OUT LOUD these first two wake up statements: 1. Today is going to be a great day! 2. Whatever happens today, God and I can handle it. Then, smile…it’s going to be a great day, and you’re going to handle it!