Dr. Stan J. Tharp, MBA

This summer in these blogs I have been sharing 10 ‘wake-up sentences’ I tell myself daily. It is important to say them OUT LOUD…trust me, do it regularly for about two weeks and you’ll see why.

Here they are so far (if you need a refresher, feel free to go back and read the earlier posts)

1. Today is going to be a great day!
2. Whatever happens today, God and I can handle.
3. I’m going to choose my attitude today.

Today’s sentence has helped me deal with the TSUNAMI OF CHANGE I have gone through over the past 2 years. I hope it helps you as well.

NUMBER 4: Today launches a new season of my life. It is going to be beautiful. I need to be aware, present and respond.

Let me unpack that simple statement, it has done wonders for me in a new life season. Too often life happens, and new seasons begin and we don’t even notice! We have probably all heard the familiar admonishment, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Statement #4 is similar to that, but takes it further. Let me give some context:

I was sitting on a bench along a trail overlooking a lake at a nearby state park. It was during my annual 2 night personal camping retreat (yep, I pack up my tent, bike and kayak for some reflection, rest and recreation each year R&R&R ) I was prayerfully reflecting on the season of life I’m in. I handed off my leadership role in a local organization 2 years earlier, and after a 45 year career, found myself wondering about what is next.

That’s when this thought hit me…it has several key thoughts:

FIRST: “Today I’m in a new season of my life. It is going to be beautiful .” I happened to be looking out over a landscape of fall colored leaves when this hit me. In earlier blogs, I already referenced the proven importance of speaking optimistic thoughts (yes, out loud). Too often we look ahead at unknowns and get anxious. Why? We have every reason to look ahead and anticipate a beautiful season…so SAY IT TO YOURSELF!

SECOND: “I need to be aware.” Too often we move from one day, week, year, season to another without giving it any conscious thought. TODAY ISN’T YESTERDAY…OR YESTERYEAR, OR WHATEVER. How many new beginnings have you wasted because you never even paid attention that it had begun? Resist the temptation to just let life run together. Be aware of this new season, and greet it hopefully, not with the habitual anxious or pessimistic thoughts you might normally have.

THIRD: “Be present!” We waste WAAAAAY too many thoughts and too much mental, emotional and physical energy stewing over the past, regretting or missing it, or fretting over the future. SPEND MORE MENTAL TIME BEING PRESENT…now! Don’t waste the moment for what is already gone or not here yet. As you are present you can be more grateful, intentional and positive.

FOURTH: “Respond.” Don’t just autopilot through life, RESPOND. Make some thoughtful, prayerful decisions (perhaps even get the guidance of trusted advice). Don’t just let this new season happen. When the newness overwhelms me, I try to respond…do something about it, with it, because of it.

I’m unwilling to be a passive victim of time going by. I refuse to just let life happen and then wonder a decade from now, “Where did all the time go?”

Please join me! Encourage yourself. Be aware of today! Stop living in the past. Your past is to learn from, be thankful for, and then move on! Respond to this new season; perhaps using familiar skills or learning new ones! Keep a sense of anticipation within you about what this new, great day means for you in this new season of your life.