Thursday, August 13, 2009

The Daily Decalogue of Bl. Pope John XXIII

1) Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positivelywithout wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.

2) Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: Iwill dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous inmy behaviour; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improveor to discipline anyone except myself.

3) Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was createdto be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.

4) Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiringall circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.

5) Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some goodreading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of thebody, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.

6) Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.

7) Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing;and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.

8) Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow itto the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against twoevils: hastiness and indecision.

9) Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, thatthe good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists inthis world.

10) Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not beafraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed,for 12 hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.

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