If It Was All Golden

Dear Friends,

I was thinking this morning about the challenges we face in life and one of the reasons that makes these challenges even harder. We’ve all heard the phrases:

“Tomorrow’s a new day!”

“Try again tomorrow!”

“If you don’t succeed at first, try again!”

We use these phrases with pure optimism. But these phrases are naïve. These phrases are deceiving. These phrases neglect to notice that there are often residual struggles that carry on to the next day or the next try.  The cancer patient whose first treatment fails brings worry, pain, and an ill body to the second treatment. The teenager who was bullied one day brings sadness and low self-esteem to the next day of high school. The advocate who loses a battle for justice enters the next battle with a little less gusto and a lot more anger.

As I was thinking about these challenges, I watched my golden retriever. Some days are great in her world, full of snuggles and treats. Other days are not so great when she has to go to the vet, have a dreaded bath, or doesn’t get enough attention. But every morning, my golden wakes up with fresh joy. The pains from yesterdays never matter in her tomorrows. She jumps out of bed with the same enthusiasm for life day after day after day.

Don’t you wish you could be like a golden? I know I sure do! I wish I had my pup’s energy, compassion, and thrill in every moment of life. I wish every day was a new chance for something happy and fun and playful.

But then, I wonder: Could it be? Could I choose to take the heartaches of yesterday and choose hope for today? It can’t be as automatic as it is for my dog, but couldn’t I approach life with bravery and peace? The cancer patient could approach the second treatment with hope that the first treatment that failed led him to the second treatment that just might work. The teenager could approach another day of high school knowing that bullying teachers her compassion for her peers that makes her a better, stronger person. The advocate could approach a second try with peace that everything happens in good time. Maybe then, our phrases could change:

“Tomorrow’s a new day to use what I experienced today for good.”

“Try again tomorrow with hope and peace.”

“If you don’t succeed at first, try again with hope and trust.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m going to try to approach today more like my golden retriever. I’m sure I’ll fail at times, but I can always choose hope the next time. God’s mercies are new every morning. Let’s make our hope new every morning, too.

With Hope,

Sara