I have been cramming to finish some important writing deadlines when I suddenly reminded myself that I write to express my thoughts and feelings not only because I need to meet expectations. Oftentimes, we are like this — being so busy in a Martha’s world , worried about practical things, chores and deadlines to the point of missing out enjoying life as it is. For most of us working professionals, who are bounded by the 9am to 5 pm time at our workplaces, let me ask you, how do you start your day?

Do your start your day worrying about your presentation at 10 am? How about thinking the list of things you need to prepare before you go to work? Or worse, you actually don’t have time to even notice that your day has started because your whole system has been set to an autopilot and before you knew it the day has just ended? Familiar?

I couldn’t imagine how life would be when we are not even able to start the day right by recognizing how beautiful it is to be alive. Have you even realized that the fact you woke up is a blessing in itself?

You are blessed that you are able to wake up and open your eyes and see that you have few minutes left to still sleep.You are blessed that you have to rush to prepare to go to the office because you have a job. You are blessed, because the first thing you see in the morning are your loved ones whom you can readily hug. I could go on and on with the list of blessings that we can have the moment we wake up. But sometimes, instead of seeing these as blessings, we’re blinded with a lot of wordly expectations that we allow to take over as we start our day.

My encouragement is this — start each day with a grateful heart by thanking the Lord that you are alive . Increase your gratitude each day by counting your blessings and having a daily conversation with your Creator. Trust me, your day will be much better.

Today is Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent. Aside from being grateful that you are alive, start this day by focusing on a heart of repentance and prayer. Slow down a bit at work and take this moment as a time to reflect on God’s love and goodness.

May the good Lord be always with you!