Inner Reflections Of the Heart

By Dana Goodman

A Poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Write it on your heart

That every day is the best day of the year.

He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day

Who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Finish ever day and be done with it.

You have done what you could.

Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in.

Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;

Begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit

To be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This new day is too dear,

With its hopes and invitations,

To waste a moment on the yesterdays.

Gratefulness

My dog is grateful for everything--her walk, me, the stranger meandering up the trail, the squirrel bounding across the trail. She is in the moment, not thinking about the past or the future. She just loves now, this moment with me running with her along familiar trails.

The further we get down the trail, the more I can feel life's sorrows, disappointments and confusions disappearing. The wrestling matches in my heart give way to the serenity around me and I want to pause, reflect and just be in the presence of God.

Too Much Time Focusing On How I Have Failed

I am aware of how much I focus on the things I have messed up at in life--how I have yelled at the kids, snapped at the dog, given someone a dirty look because they have tried my patience, and times I have just been down-right miserable. I am so glad for the new day that gives me a do over. Each day is new. Each day I will lose my way and take side trips down roads of anxiety about conflicts, health, my children and my relationships, but I know, in God's mercy, he restores those broken bits back to health so I can find the beauty in the every day. He loves me too much to allow me to guilt beat myself with "what ifs."

I have met my worst fears as my husband, son and mother-in-law died of cancer all within eight years. I have lived through tragedy, and am now a kinder, humbler and more patient person. I have also learned to be patient with my shortcomings and more thankful for the ordinary moments in life. Pain has a way of putting priorities in the right order. Love becomes the focus of day to day encounters and material things are of lesser importance.

Nature has a way of healing the rough spots

Being Joy-Filled

As my run comes to an end, I feel lighter, happier and less burdened with my many faults. In spite of life's twists and turns I know God is with me and he will teach me to glean happiness no matter what my circumstances may be. God has drawn me with lovingkindness. He has build me up again and I will be rebuilt. I will take up my tambourine and go out to dance with the joyful. (Jer. 31:3-4).