Morning
Prayer
“This
is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I
will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very
important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When
tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving something in
its place that I have traded for it. In order that I shall not forget
the price I paid for it, I want it to be: gain, not loss; good, not
evil; success, not failure.”
Coach
Paul “Bear” Bryant
Harry gave the Spirituality Group this morning prayer on Sunday. It is a
side of the famous Coach I did not know. Bear Bryant was not a
theologian, God knows, but around here he came close to being a god.
He had, as we all do, good qualities and bad qualities mixed together
to produce an unforgettable character. He drove his team to be the
best that they could be, and then some. He came by his nick name
“Bear” honestly, because of his size and demeanor, and the way he
boxed his cubs to keep them in line.
When
I heard this prayer, I was moved by how personal and responsible it
is. This day, and every other day, is a gift beyond measure, whether
or not we label it “good.” The question of what we achieve
and how we behave is up to us. We may meet with success today, or
with failure, or we may simply put our shoulders to the plow and push
through it. What seems important to me is to stay true to oneself.
And, no matter what the day brings, to not allow the disappointments
or triumphs to carry us away from serenity. I want to greet each
success, or failure, with equanimity, staying centered in myself.
And,
always, since we are fallible human beings, remember that tomorrow is
another day with another opportunity to get it right. And thank God
for that! Even “Bear” Bryant had unsuccessful days!
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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