Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow

For their 25th wedding anniversary, I heard about a couple who took a longawaited trip to Paris. The two vacationers first visited the magnificent Eiffel Tower. Then they visited the Louvre Museum and viewed some of the most famous works of art. Every day was an adventure, filled with dazzling sites.

One afternoon while strolling along the brick road by the Seine River, the couple noticed a charming little gift shop. They decided to walk inside. Politely greeting the store clerk when they entered by saying, “Bonjour Mademoiselle,” the couple both eyed an unusual yellow-colored stone necklace. In an 18th century setting, the piece was reasonably priced, so they purchased it as a remembrance of their anniversary trip. However, when it was time to travel back to the states after their overseas flight, the couple had to pay quite a bit for the necklace to clear customs.

Now home, they decided to bring the necklace to a jeweler to have it appraised. The jeweler took out his magnifying glass and looked at the piece. With a great deal of interest, the jeweler said to the couple, “If you’d like to sell the necklace, I will give you $5,000 for it.”

Surprised at the generous offer, the couple chose to have another expert inspect it. This time, they were offered $10,000 for the piece. Stunned, the couple turned to each other in wide-eyed wonder and next they turned back to the jeweler. “What is so valuable about this necklace?” they asked quizzically.

Suggesting that they each look through the magnifying glass at the piece,the jeweler smiled. So the couple examined the necklace closely. And there, right before their eyes was an inscription, “From Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine.”

The necklace’s great worth came from its identification with a notable person. And your tremendous value comes from your Creator, your Lord, your God, and your Savior.

Today, look within. Have you forgotten “who you are”?

The challenges of life may have taken their toll on you. Then, little by little, you could get so discouraged and down on yourself that you lose your enthusiasm, your identity, and your sense of value and worth. A few days ago, I was outside getting the mail and a car drove by. I couldn’t tell who was behind the wheel, but I heard loud, blaring music. Often, during trying times, similar to the music coming from the car, our innermost thoughts seem to play troubling tunes the loudest. That destructive, unconstructive noise can tell us, “Nothing good is going to happen now,” “it’s too late,” or “you’ve made too many mistakes.” Thereafter, you might stray off course and talk yourself out of living your best life by thinking, “you’ve been hurt too much,” or “you are just not good enough,” and settle where you are, until you just accept the status quo.

But remember who you really are: you’re God’s masterpiece, formed in love and created from His artistic hand. You are His “treasured possession” (Philippians 4:8), “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) and one-of-a-kind, “chosen by God Himself” (1 Peter 2:9). God wants to do amazing things for you, with you, and through you. And His great plans for your life have not been discounted because of a loss, an imperfection or as a result of the pain that someone might have caused you.

Hence, never think that your hopes and dreams for your future are over and done. As a magnet is attracted to metal, your life can go down the path of where your thoughts take you. While you can press the mute button on your cell phone when you don’t want to hear it ring, turn a deaf ear to negative thoughts or comments. Despite what the situation looks like, continually remind yourself that, “God will supply your needs, you’re getting better and better,” and “you are being guided to success.”

God has boundless ways and resources from which to bless you in the future.

So believe in yourself and put your hope, your faith and your confidence in Him. Be good to yourself and move ahead toward your hopes and dreams, taking that first step in faith. There is a Plan B. People will come across your path that can help you. You can successfully change directions. You’re strong, and you can get well. And you’ll live a full, productive and joyous life. Have faith and persist in praising God, for He is going to take what unfairly happened in the past and bring you a fresh start. God’s unfailing mercy is “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23). Thus, “He can make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)

I recall taking my daughter to the department store to pick out a birthday gift for one of her school friends. I was looking at greeting cards and excited, she said to me, “Mom, I saw girl wearing a tee shirt that read: 2021 will be your year!”

Smiling at my sweet girl, I uttered, “I agree. It is a blessed year!”

Dear readers, go out each day and make today your best and most joyfilled day yet. God has destined you to do incredible things. You were born to make a difference in this world. There is no one else like you. You’re special.

You are loved and worthy. No one can take your place. So, keep being and doing your best. God is right there with you, and He wants to bestow you with great health, loving relationships, and an abundance of peace, joy, and opportunity. And soon, “All of these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the

Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 28:2)

Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow. Let your future begin now … by remembering who you are.

Email Catherine Galasso-Vigorito at cgv@anewyouworldwide.com. To order a copy of her new book, “The Open Window, 8 Weeks to Creating an Extraordinary Life,” visit www.anewyouworldwide.com or bookstores nationwide.

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