Gary Coker

What constitutes a “Good Day?” To a great extent, barring unusual circumstances, we are largely in charge of our inner feelings. It begins the first thing each morning as we begin the day.

Recently I sent out a message and asked a select group of friends how they began the day starting with their waking moment. Nearly 15 of you heeded my email and shared how you orient your day upon waking. John (all names changed from original names)wakes up reciting or singing Scripture, Psalm 27:1-2, June and I start our day greeting each other with; a “good morning,” while still groggy and saying,” this is the day the Lord has made,” and whoever begins the statement, the other finishes it,” we will rejoice and be glad in it.” “We used to complain about our aches and how bad we slept. Chadron wrote, ” I try to start the day by saying or thinking “Lord, “I love you.” “I try to replace my complaining attitude with gratitude. I am trying to make this automatic.” Joe said he has an app on his phone that sends him a Bible verse every day,, similarly, Jane receives a ‘thought for the day on her phone. Why is this important? Behavioral psychology teaches us to set the tone and our brain will respond in accordance…… This is especially true as you begin each day.

Admiral William McRaves, former navy seal, wrote the book; “Make your Bed.” He delivered the graduation speech at the University of Texas and spoke on the importance of making your bed each morning before departure from home. His major premise was that ” little” things change your life.” I remember very clearly when my brother returned from basic training in the army and talked about the first thing he had to do was learn to make his bed. It was only after his sergeant checked his bed each morning he was allowed to leave the building and report for duty. Why such attention to detail? Why would the armed forces of America composed of thousands of service individuals insist the first order of business and the first aspect of the training was ‘making your bed’? A footnote to this process is noteworthy. Making your bed was not just pulling the covers up or placing the pillows in the right place. It was made to meet specific guidelines. It is how you start your day that sets the “brain” into motion. You start by doing something ‘right’ and in preparation for the end of the day. Start Positive. With couples, it starts with your spouse. For children, it starts with Mom and Dad. For Employees, it starts with the supervisor and fellow employees. TAKE CARE OF THE LITTLE THINGS AND THE BIG THINGS WILL TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.

“Have a good day,” has become a frequently heard comment, I say to you “MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!!”