To-day

We often lose the happiness of to-day by brooding over the sorrows of yesterday or fearing the troubles of to-morrow. This is exceedingly foolish. There is always some pleasure at hand; seize it, and at no time will you be without pleasure. You cannot change the past, but your spirit at this moment will in some measure shape your future. Live life, therefore, in the present tense; do not miss the joys of to-day.

  Sure, this world is full of trouble-

    I ain't said it ain't.

  Lord! I've had enough, an' double,

    Reason for complaint.

  Rain an' storm have come to fret me,

    Skies were often gray;

  Thorns an' brambles have beset me

    On the road--but, say,

    Ain't it fine to-day?

  What's the use of always weepin',

    Makin' trouble last?

  What's the use of always keepin'

    Thinkin' of the past?

  Each must have his tribulation,

    Water with his wine.

  Life it ain't no celebration.

    Trouble? I've had mine--

    But to-day is fine.

  It's to-day that I am livin',

    Not a month ago,

  Havin', losin', takin', givin',

    As time wills it so.

  Yesterday a cloud of sorrow

    Fell across the way;

  It may rain again to-morrow,

    It may rain--but, say,

    Ain't it fine to-day!

by Douglas Malloch