Let’s face it, as Parents and Grandparents we often seek out the best ways possible to encourage our children to be the best that they can be. Of course it is really difficult to do this when we struggle with it so much ourselves. The culture we live in doesn’t promote self-esteem so much as it does vanity. Sometimes we get lost in the grind of an ordinary day and forget all of the good things that can happen. In fact, there are days out there that seriously make me question why did I even get out of bed, so I turn to scripture for a quick dose of reassurance.
I also encourage my children to seek the same reassurance.
The message of God can offer much reassurance in just few words. But, occasionally I run across an article that also inspires and encourages me to make the best of each day. I loved this and wanted to share it with you.
I hope you can turn “just another day” into an “extraordinary day!”
64 Ways To Turn An Ordinary Day Into An Extraordinary One
- Smile at yourself in the mirror when brushing your teeth
- Wear an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself
- Read some passages from an inspirational or spiritual book
- Sit quietly and take some deep breaths
- Think of your day as an adventure
- Give your children hugs
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Listen to music
- Go for a walk in nature
- Sing a song that you love
- Select a mantra to repeat throughout the day
- Break some rules
- Smile at strangers
- Offer your seat to someone if taking public transportation
- Say ‘good morning ‘ to people you pass in the hall at work
- Think of everything that happens as a learning experience
- Have patience
- Forgive yourself
- Practice being non-judgmental
- Be agreeable rather than argumentative
- Stay calm under pressure
- Have faith that things will unfold perfectly
- Take time to ask someone how they’re doing…and mean it
- Listen rather than talk
- Practice compassion
- Buy fresh fruits and vegetables
- Learn something new
- Mix up your daily routine
- Check in with a friend to see how she’s doing
- Work at creating great relationships
- Don’t lash out at others
- Slow down when feeling rushed
- Take care of yourself
- Look at the bright side when things don’t go as planned
- Be playful
- Focus on the stuff that matters
- Put out positive energy so that you can attract it
- Do one thing at a time rather than multi-tasking
- Have fun
- Laugh
- Be silly
- Limit the amount of information you take in
- Take a time out from e-mails
- Do something you love
- Turn on music and dance
- Get out of your comfort zone
- Turn off your phone in public places (and while driving)
- Let drivers in a hurry pass you
- Give the pedestrian the right of way
- Buy fresh flowers
- Be inspired by someone
- Prepare a homemade snack for your kids
- Speak out when you see an injustice taking place
- Pick up litter
- Live your life as if it was your last day
- Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’
- Help a colleague who is overloaded with work
- Adopt the attitude of ‘it’s not what you do’ but ‘how you do it’
- Pause before saying something impulsive
- Trash your ‘to do’ list
- Volunteer for a cause you believe in
- Embrace chaos
- Practice humility
Fiddle Dee Dee by Jennifer Jones 
I do not agree with every single item on the list; however, it has given me food for thought. The one thing that I find invaluable in your post is this sentence: “The culture we live in doesn't promote self-esteem so much as it does vanity.”
Wow. I could cogitate on that for some time and will certainly give it food for thought where my grandsons are concerned. Thanks, Jen!
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