Comments on: Make Each Day Your Masterpiece

By: Jack

Jack — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:44:03 +0000

Years ago I worked at a residential school where the kitchen was run by Gracie, an 82 year old African American with a lot of spunk. We had returned from a two week vacation & I asked her how things had gone for her around town…I was sure that she probably just puttered around the local area…probably staying at home most of the break. She went on to describe her trip to NYC, a 4 day cruise & a major family reunion somewhere in the South. She could see I was stunned & that’s when she laid down a line I’ve never forgotten, “honey, when I works I works, but when I plays…I plays.” There is a time & season for everything. When it’s time to work put your all into it, but when it’s time to recreate & create memories, do it with gusto!

By: Martha

Martha — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:46:15 +0000

It frightens me, a little, that a website feed that I subscribed to to get tips about personal finance has kind of become the “can’t miss” email for spiritual growth. Not because I worship money, but because of posts like this. And the finance tips are great, too!

Thanks

By: Kai

Kai — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 05:48:06 +0000

I don’t find this a valuable theory. If every moment had to be a masterpiece, we would never get to the gritwork that needs to be done.
Who would choose to spend the last day of their life cleaning the house? But this too needs to be done for any time it turns out to be not your last day.
In fact, if it were your last day, wouldn’t you feel more free to spend wildly, and stop saving for the future you won’t have?

‘Do things that matter to you, and outsource what you can of the rest’ makes sense. ‘Live every day as a masterpiece’ does not.

By: LMR

LMR — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:27:02 +0000

Wow! I really feel the pressure now and I’m pretty sure that was not the point. I am a big believer in the idea that ordinary moments in life can turn into the best moments and the best memories. So what if you did spend your last evening with your spouse eating cheeseburgers and watching Seinfeld if that’s something you both enjoy doing?
My mom died of cancer in 1997 at the age of 51. She was plagued with illness and disability her entire life, so watching TV and movies was her main form of entertainment. I have good memories of watching French films with my mom, but some of the best memories I have are of watching ordinary shows like Star Trek (I liked Seinfeld, but she wasn’t a fan). Yes, I also remember important conversations we had of her unpleasant and abusive childhood and of the kind people who helped her. But I also remember the fun conversations we had about “Amok Time” and “Trouble with Tribbles” and comparing and contrasting TOS with TNG. So, from a completely geek-based point of view, those days were masterpieces! :D

By: Brandy

Brandy — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:59:41 +0000

Fantastic post, Trent! Thanks for a great reminder.

By: anna maria

anna maria — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:42:36 +0000

I try to do something that will make this day memorable, something to remember and smile or think about at the end of the day, when I am about to fall asleep. I follow many terrific blogs which are a great source of the greatest ideas that help you live better (I just added “Make each day your masterpiece.” into my ideas treasure chest). I try to keep in touch with people, give them support or advice when necessary. Making just one person feel better already makes a day worthy.

By: Laura @ Frugal Newlyweds

Laura @ Frugal Newlyweds — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:37:34 +0000

What an inspiring post! I’m a teacher and I am constantly trying to teach my kids to remember that this is the only [insert date] that they will ever live through, and how are they going to use that day?
However, I have to admit that a bag of hamburgers and some episodes of Seinfeld has been a fun “date night” for my husband and I:). Makes me laugh every time!

By: David/MoneyCrashers

David/MoneyCrashers — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:06:41 +0000

Good stuff-

One thing I love about this blog is that you can get some good “pearls of wisdom” about topics not necessarily financial.

As the country song goes (and I really dislike country music)

“Live like you were dying…”

By: Kittie

Kittie — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:07:21 +0000

to AMY G: ditto
to Claudia: well said
to Trent: I loved it and plan to use it in my bible study group.
for the negative people out there, I ‘ll pray things get brighter for you.

By: travelerkris

travelerkris — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:47:26 +0000

Every time I think the comments to one of Trent’s posts will be beaming with positive feedback there are so many negative responses! I don’t get it.

Well done Trent- you inspire me with posts about positive thinking, positive actions, planning to succeed and remembering to make your day count. I appreciate the reminders coming to my email each day.

By: Claudia

Claudia — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:36:30 +0000

One thing that has always stuck with me since I first read the play “our Town” in high school (lots of years ago). It’s the scene where the dead Emily is allowed to relive one day of her life. As she observes the day of her 10th (or so)birthday. Her mother is busy getting breakfast ready and does not look at the birthday girl. The dead Emily cries out (I’m paraphrasing, I don’t remember the exact wording) “Look at me, Mama, look at me. Oh, why can’t we live every minute of every day?”

By: Sandy L

Sandy L — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:07:04 +0000

I love this concept but I often feel like I have the opposite problem. I want to fill every moment with something of value and not waste time.

If I sit on my patio, I don’t relax but instantly zoom in on the weeds that need to be pulled, instead of enjoying the few nice months of weather we get a year. I feel guilty about the time I spend reading blogs, when I do enjoy some immensely.

Balancing the need to make every moment meaningful with just chilling out and relaxing is the hard part for me.

Gretchen’s comment did make me laugh out loud….because I’m horrible at spelling and grammar. Proofreading is how I define my masterpieces.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:17:23 +0000

Your commenters crack me up, Trent. I agree with AmyG in that the first 5-10 posts are usually so unnecessarily mean. *shakes head* Simply don’t read it, people. Just walk away.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:14:46 +0000

Your commenters crack me up, Trent.

By: AmyG

AmyG — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:01:32 +0000

I think it’s kind of interesting when I scroll down the comments by readers. The first 5-10 posts are almost always filled with vitriol, criticism over lack of spellchecking or good grammar, and nit-picking. Then the next batch of posts is usually folks who see the big picture and whether they agree or disagree, make some good points and provide additional food for thought. Guess I just need to learn to skip over the first several posts to find what’s worth reading. Good post, Trent. Though my days are rarely masterpieces, just striving to make them the best I can works for me.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:29:36 +0000

Nice post, your readers are right, if they don’t like your posts don’t read them. There are always a select few who pick everything apart, take it out of context, maybe they are just unhappy with where their lives are now. It’s sad that someone feels a day with Seinfeld is important (I hope you were kidding), BYW I’m not knocking you, maybe you just need to look around.
The thing is people may only cross your path once in this life and it would be nice to be remembered as the person who held the door open, smiled at someone who looked like they needed it, etc. A couple of weeks ago a lady at the cashier was short a couple of bucks and was looking at what she could put back, it all looked like necessities to me so I slipped her the balance. I wasn’t going to be seen as the person rolling their eyes making comments like the person behind us.
And as far a remembering this day, a close friend lost her mother and they hadn’t been on very good terms over something stupid. She will live with that for the rest of her life.

By: littlepitcher

littlepitcher — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:48:47 +0000

The more I read concerning the late John Wooden, the more I want a complete collection of his aphorisms. He sounds like the coach/second parent his students (and many of us adults) need to complete our educations in real life, especially those of us who were “jerked up (or f…up) instead of raised up”, as we say down here in Dixie.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:42:32 +0000

It’s quite obvious to me what the intent is here. Its one thing to say, “Hey, it’s been a long week and we’ve been working too hard and not spending enough time together. How about I pick up a bag of cheeseburgers on the way home and we put everything else aside for the night and just snuggle up under a comforter and watch Seinfeld reruns?” It’s quite another to go through the day in a blur and escape the reality of life by driving through the local fast food joint and idly passing the night in front of the television without any forethought or objective; merely passing the remainder of the day until bedtime, only to possibly repeat the same thing the next day in one form or another. I am amazed when I talk to co workers or friends and learn that they are up to date on all the weekly TV shows. I wonder how on earth they can hold down full time jobs, own homes, have families and yet find the time to watch tv every night. This is not a bash on TV, but so many people do not give thought to how they use their time. We miss so many opportunities to enjoy what is right under our noses; our family, friends, opportunities to brighten somebody’s day by lending a helping hand, a word of encouragement, a simple inquiry as to their well being. We intend to visit that certain elderly family member “eventually”, have a game night with the kids, go on that picnic with our spouse, or any number of smaller things; mail a simple thank you to a friend, call to check on a neighbor, light candles at dinnertime, try a new recipe. The point is to choose how to spend our days and live our lives, not just go through them mindlessly. I don’t understand the criticism from some people who have made comments. We need to read in context.

By: Kristine

Kristine — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:57:19 +0000

Great article. Another thing I like to ask myself is if the choice I choose is a strengthening or weakening choice. Does the choice align with my goals and values or not?

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:15:08 +0000

@Gemond: Ditto.
Brilliant post, Trent. Thank you for sharing.