Embrace T.O.D.A.Y
Published Sep 13, 2022
By Heather Voss
So… what is your story? Do you have one? Do you want one? Will you commit to using T.O.D.A.Y. to detail one? Many analogies come from the “journey” or “path” of life, which talks most often of a set plan already “predestined” for you. And isn’t that thought sometimes nice? So easy, so uninvolved, no work, no pride, no ownership in decisions or actions…
Now, let’s talk about reality. Reality is a bit different. Reality is that life isn’t always fair, not always perfect; circumstances are not always ones we greet with open arms. In fact, if you really think about it, all we know we have is TODAY. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, we really shouldn’t even “worry” about tomorrow. But what we can do is use T.O.D.A.Y. to prepare in hope for tomorrow.
By embracing T.O.D.A.Y., you not only get to detail your story, you are called to detail it. No matter what comes your way, no matter how others treat you, no matter how unfortunate your circumstances might be (even in those moments when it seems your friend or neighbor has the “best of luck”), it’s not about any of that… it’s about you; your actions, your reactions, your choosing to write the best story possible based on the outline set before of you.
So here it is… a new day, a new chapter, a choice to commit to embracing T.O.D.A.Y. to make a difference and represent yourself in the way YOU would be most proud. Life is all about choices, details, experiences, action, reaction… life is yours to take ownership of. With an outline – only the most critical bullet points are included and by choosing to embrace T.O.D.A.Y, we reference that outline to signify new chapters of our life; we all have one that is ours to take.
Each outline is different, specific and designed for you – but it is just that, only an outline; and just as every well written story has wonderful chapters along with some very challenging ones, we too experience that as a part of life. To expand on that, we recognize, that just as a good story is designed around the outline, it is what’s written between the outlined bullet points that get us to the next chapter and detail the story. It is in the details of our lives that reflect the message we get to choose to
portray.
Let’s think about what you’re going to do TODAY. Let’s really think about owning T.O.D.A.Y. If together we can agree that life is about choices and taking ownership in those choices, together we can agree that you not only get to be part of your story – you ARE the story. Knowing there are no guarantees and no “perfect” path groomed before you, we can assume that if you already haven’t experienced something misfortunate in your life… at some point, you most likely will. Please don’t allow this message to be negative, rather, liberating and challenging all at the same time.
It was in realizing this and embracing T.O.D.A.Y. that I felt called to own my actions. I now am committed to living gratefully, being thankful, making a difference, trying hard to always greet with a smile, being proactive, taking charge of my wellbeing and not expecting too much of others. It is not about a “rite of passage” or a “deserved life”. It is just life and choosing to live for T.O.D.A.Y. in all we do. It is our responsibility. It is the story we get to write.
With faith, we have free will; we get to choose what we do, how we move forward from difficult times, who we recognize with the simplest blessings, how we react to the outline designed for us and then how we fill in the details to write our story. We get to choose how we live every single day. We get to choose how we embrace TODAY!
If you commit to embracing T.O.D.A.Y., fully and wholeheartedly, I promise you can write one incredible story. No matter what your outline reads, if you take ownership of every moment in every day and choose to fully embrace what chapters come before you, you will quickly see how imperative it is to take action and not pass blame. Each and every one of us gets to choose – what to say, how to say it, what to do, how to do it. Whether it be in conversation, ambition or taking care of yourself – it is YOUR responsibility to be the advocate of whom you want to represent.
In no way do I mean we have to (or even can do) this all alone. For instance, I personally feel that God has often “carried” me and assisted in my getting through difficult times, but I also feel as strongly that it has not come without my seeking Him and due to our free will and liberty in our choices. To make a difference, you must see it different – choose to embrace T.O.D.A.Y. In my story, all I have is T.O.D.A.Y… the perfect outline designed around me and with that, I am called to embrace TODAY, share TODAY, work at TODAY, live for TODAY and use TODAY, for it is all we know we’ve got.
To close, I’ll complete this movement by sharing the meaning. TODAY, the acronym for: The Outline Designed Around You. If in-fact you go back through this whole message and interchange the word TODAY for: “The Outline Designed Around You”, each sentence, where it is used, will still make sense. Each point will still be made, giving greater definition for embracing TODAY, sharing TODAY, working at TODAY, living for TODAY and using TODAY, for it really is all we know we’ve got!
After TODAY, I hope you will never hear the word, see the word or embrace its meaning the same again. My goal is to not only challenge you to take ownership of T.O.D.A.Y. in thought, it is also to challenge your way of living for T.O.D.A.Y. It is a simple word that encompasses taking part in your ambitions, decisions, opportunities, actions and reactions. It is being mindful of TODAY and being grateful for T.O.D.A.Y. It is making a decision and making it the right decision.
