By Steve Moran

A few weeks ago, I was out walking and listening to something by Jay Shetty in which he was talking about how to have a good day. He asked this question:

What do I need to do today to feel like I had a good day?

I got to thinking this would be a great question to ask every morning when I get up. Or maybe even better would be to ask, “What do I need to do tomorrow to feel like I had a good day?”

A Good Day

This got me contemplating what makes for a good day. Some thoughts:

  • It is not having a peak day, because the thing that makes peak days spectacular is that they are rare.
  • It is, for me, being grateful for the little things: a roof over my head, enough money to pay the bills, a job, friends, and family.
  • It is noticing small things of beauty: a flower, my dog chasing a squirrel, a little kid laughing, the squirrel getting away from my dog.
  • A phone call with a new or old friend.
  • Giving a donation to a good cause.
  • A phone call to someone who is struggling.
  • Making an introduction between two people who need to know each other.
  • Hanging out with family members.
  • Wandering in the woods.
  • Listening to a good podcast.
  • Listening to oldies.
  • Watching a great movie.
  • Learning something new.
  • Looking at photographs of old times.
  • Forgiving someone for a real or imagined slight.
  • Crossing something off my to-do list.

Perspective

We are, in today’s society, programmed to be unhappy, programmed to be pre-offended. This means we end up expecting to be mistreated and disrespected, and we assume this is happening because of ill intent. This means a friend can give advice, and we see it as an insult; a stranger offers what they perceive to be a helpful suggestion, and we assume they are butting into our business.

We forget life is hard for everyone. We forget the only people with perfect lives are those who we don’t know well. There are people who look like they have perfect lives who are suffering deeply, who are struggling mightily.

Grateful for Each Day

I am writing this at the end of a good day, not a peak day. I have written some articles; met some new people; broken bread with friends, family, and work colleagues; made a little donation for a high school kid who wants to go on a mission trip; taken a nap; worked on a keynote speech; eaten some saltwater taffy; and walked 2 miles with my dog.

What does a good day look like for you?