“The Sun will come out tomorrow, tomorrow! Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there’ll be sun!” (“Tomorrow,” song from “Annie”) That’s a surety. 

But, unfortunately, none of us know much more about tomorrow. It’s still a vapor; an unformed mass of daylight and time. It’s a perception. And yesterday? It’s gone. Poof! But, here’s the good news! We have today. Now. This minute. Right now. Immediatamente!

And what we do today, how we act, how we react, and how we fill our time, ought to be a definition of who we are, or at least, who we want to be. It’s today that we leave a memory of what kind of person we might be. Our friends and acquaintances will remember each of us from today. And if perchance, we do not see tomorrow, we get a fresh, new chance today to make a memory. We have NOW.

It’s Christmas time, after all. Oh, I know. According to the church calendar, it’s still Advent. But, the entire season is the spirit of Christmas. It’s a special time of the year. 

However, this season can be a heart wrenching time for many. Some have lost dear loved ones this year, others have no money to buy toys for the kids, some do not have enough food, or others have no one in their lives in which to depend. There’s loneliness, and holiday expectations that many cannot meet. 

But, each of us can make today a better day than it could have been.

So, what can we do today to fill in some Christmas spirit? I offer some suggestions. You fill in yours. 

Today, I will be kind. I will watch my mouth. I will speak encouragement; not discouragement, to those around me. I will wait, and listen to what others are saying; not only with their words, but in their actions, as well. Today, I will pay ahead. I will be conscientious of others’ needs. I will look for opportunities to pay ahead in many ways. I might see chances to buy groceries for someone who is struggling; to buy a cup of coffee and a hamburger for someone who is hungry or homeless. I will be inventive in my strategy. I will not fear embarrassment, but do what I see needs to be done, and I will be bold about action. 

I will pray for others who God puts in front of me. I will stop thinking of myself, and concentrate on those around me. I will shut my mouth, and watch. (That’s a tough one!) I will pray blessings, abundance, peace, comfort, and health for those that cross my path.

I will make or buy some cookies or candy. I will give much of it away. I will remember that I don’t need to give a lot when I don’t have the means, but that just a little is perceived as a BIG encouragement to anyone who needs a boost. Maybe I can have a cup of hot chocolate ready for the UPS man. 

I can volunteer. Read last week’s article. That covered that.

I will come up with some new strategies. Maybe I will visit the animal shelter with a big bag of dog or cat food, and write an encouraging message on a Christmas card to give with the pet food. 

I will visit a shut-in. If I don’t know one, I need to ask who such a person would be. I can visit the convalescent home and find many in the need of a hug and a kind word.

There are a myriad of ideas out there that I have not mentioned or thought of ... but you will no doubt read this and catch your own idea.  The main requirement is an open heart to do the right thing ... Today. 

Not tomorrow.

Judi Tabler lives in Pawnee County and is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached at bluegrasses@gmail.com. Visit her website juditabler.com.