My dad used to always tell me, "today will be as good as you make it." He started telling me this when I was in about the fifth grade so I took it as cliche dad-advice that I didn't really have to listen to. Little did I know then that I would now think about that phrase constantly.

When I first wake up in the morning my first thought is usually, "Where is my snooze button?" Waking up is one of the hardest parts of my day because I find it hard to get motivated to get up and go to work. So I've now been awake for three minutes, and I already have a negative attitude on the day. So what's next? The drive to work. The second worst part of the day. Not only am I driving a piece of crap car, but I have the worst road rage, and nothing gets me going more than some lady taking a joy ride at 7:30 a.m. driving 45 in a 55. I just about lose my mind. I spend most of my drive livid that this woman is driving so slow, and bending God's ear every time she puts on her breaks. So what are we at now? An hour and a half of being awake and I've only been releasing negative energy. What a start to the day.

The first thing I do when I get to work is go straight to the coffee pot where the coffee is either too weak or too old. I drink it anyway, and sit at the desk and try to put on my happy face for the day. I sit at my desk and get annoyed by the littlest stuff. Someone will come ask a pointless question. I will have to answer the phone and it's the same lady who has now called twice about the same thing. Alright so it's lunch time and I'm still not even kind of happy.

The rest of the day goes by slow, which makes me even more irritated, but then it's time to go home! That should for sure make me happy, right? Nope. Now I have to commute back to my hometown and it'll take 15 minutes longer than it should because of the traffic. My road rage will be going crazy once again until I finally get home. Once I'm inside everyone's favorite question gets immediately asked, "So how was your day?"

How do I respond? Did anything actually that terrible happen? Was work really that unbearable? Why did I just allow myself to be miserable all day in my own negativity?

"Today will be as good as you make it."

My alarm goes off, and I get up and thank God for a new day. As I'm getting ready I'm thinking about all the really awesome things happening in my life right now. I focus on the blessings that I have. I get in my car that has been such a trooper, and I can't believe has gotten me this far. I drive a little slower to work today, but it's OK because I won't be late. I spend more time listening to music and focusing on my tasks for the day ahead.

The first thing I do when I get to work is say, "Good Morning." I head to the coffee pot and make new coffee because I know what is in it now is old. I sit at my desk and am kind to everyone that approaches me for they have not done anything wrong. I answer questions that I may think are silly, but I know I've asked sillier. I am patient. I am kind. I feel amazing.

The rest of the day goes by fast because I fill it with activity. I fill it trying to help out my coworkers the best I can. I fill it by concentrating fully on the task in front of me. Then soon enough my day is over, and it's time to go home. I get in my car and start my decompressing ride home. Again I am going little more slow than usual, but it's okay because that gives me more time to reflect on my day. Once I'm inside my house, my favorite question immediately gets asked, "So how was your day?"

There are so many things in this life to be thankful for. We often forget these things because we are so wrapped up in everyday things that really have no meaning, like old coffee and 5 p.m. traffic. We completely disregard all of the amazing things we are so blessed with because something isn't going completely our way. What kind of life is that? Every day I work toward looking at the positive in my life. God has a plan for me so I don't need to worry. God has blessed me with more than I could ever ask for. So why have a negative day when you don't have to? Why focus on so much negativity when there is so much positivity?

Today will be as good as you make it, so today I choose happy.