What will you do today to celebrate the fact that you are here? To celebrate what you have that is good in your life?

Your Turn: Review your goals. If you have not been using the three step action list diligently, begin today. What do you want to accomplish by the end of October? By the end of this year? Write your goals down.

Your Affirmation: Each day I take a step forward toward my goals. As I take that step, I will laugh, smile and dance.

Your Affirmation: I am thankful for my life and for all the people within.

Worry has many similar characteristics to guilt. It hurts us much more than it helps. While a little worry or a little guilt keeps our conscious clean and our focus clear, incessant worry and guilt are destructive.

How do you know if these emotions are constructive or destructive in your own life? Ask yourself this simple question: Did my (worry/guilt/insert any emotion) make a positive difference in the situation?

If your answer is “no” then you are needlessly bringing yourself down, and likely bringing down the people around you.

Your turn: As you encounter guilt, worry, and other emotions today, ask yourself: “Is this making a positive difference in this situation?”

This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it to your advantage. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you left behind… let it be something you’re proud of.

Your Turn:Take a moment to think about the wonderful gift of today. What can you do to make the most of it? When tomorrow comes, what gift will you have left with today?

Your Affirmation: Today I leave something behind, and it is something I am proud of.

Lisa wrote, “I was just sending an email out to some friends and remembered a saying my mom has always said to me since I was really young and thought I would share it with you. ‘Smile today … one smile can make miles and miles of smiles.’”

Your Turn: Embrace the wisdom of Lisa’s mom today and start a chain of smiles. As you do, think of other readers of this column who are doing the same. With combined effort we can make any day one of the most smile-filled days around.

Your Affirmation: Each day I remember to start a chain of smiles.

A while ago, I was being interviewed by a Penn State Researcher studying the minds of media entrepreneurs. Toward the end of the interview she asked me, “What keeps you going during the bad days?” I didn’t pause for a second before responding, “I don’t have bad days.” While there are moments during the day that can be challenging or troubling, very rarely do I let that moment seep into the attitude of the entire day. If my morning is challenging, then come lunchtime, I take a moment to clear my mind and “restart my day” anticipating nothing but the best for the afternoon. Surely, there is joy to be found each and every day. If we let a challenging circumstance set the stage for the entire day, we miss that joy and the opportunity of the day at hand.

Your Turn: When you face a challenging day this week try the technique of “restarting your day.”

Your Affirmation: Each day brings joy, fulfillment and love.