13

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you.”

 — Mother Teresa

It is easy to worry about the numbers. “I’m not spending enough time with my children.” “I don’t make enough money in my job.” “I only made it to the gym once this week.” “I gave a donation to a charity, but they need so much more.” That kind of worry leads to a feeling of being overwhelmed, and that’s a dangerous place. When you feel overwhelmed, you are precariously close to giving up.

Don’t let yourself go down that dark alley. Concentrate on the present. What can you do right now that would cause a positive ripple effect? Is one of your children struggling with math homework? Go help them right now. Is there a part-time job you can pick up a couple of nights a week to boost your income? Apply for it. Have you pursued new job opportunities recently that would include an increase in salary? It can’t hurt to look. Do you feel fat and flabby today? Go for a walk or get yourself to the gym no matter what. Concentrate on what you can do today, and force yourself to drop your worries about tomorrow every time they surface.

One of the best ways to get out of the funk of worry is to be helpful to someone else. It immediately takes your mind off of your own problems, and it feels good. Are you a member of a volunteer organization? You don’t have to necessarily join the Peace Corps to help. What can you do in your community today to help someone other than yourself? You will be surprised to see how reaching out to others will eventually help you.

DAY

14

“You have achieved success if you have lived well, laughed often and loved much.”

 — Author Unknown

If you died today, would you be able to look back on your life with satisfaction, or would you feel like you missed out? Life is not merely meant to be endured. It is really meant to be celebrated every step of the way. Are you having fun yet?