As we go through life, we run into all kinds of negative messages: teasing on the school bus, insulting nicknames, and other put-downs. 

Pretty soon we may discover that some of these messages stick in our minds, repeating themselves over and over like broken records.

 These messages can make us feel bad about ourselves.

But when we hear one of these tapes playing inside us, we have the power to push the STOP button. Then we can record a new message.

We can even say it out loud, so that our voice settles emphatically into our thoughts. 

We can't make others stop saying these things, but we can stop listening to them.

They only have power over us when we give it to them.

We have the ability and freedom to let negative thoughts float by us, like water going downstream.

The posture we take while performing our tasks today, and the attitude we project toward those who cross our path, will emphatically influence what the day brings.

 No one else can decide for any one of us what we'll feel or think about the day. 

We have the power to be as content or as discontent as we make up our minds to be.

A sign of maturity is acceptance of the full responsibility for the failures as well as the successes of a day.

Another sign is the willingness to let go of the day's outcomes, whatever they are, and ready ourselves instead to face tomorrow, confident and hopeful. 

Carrying yesterday's baggage into today will only distort the size and shape of any bundle we must handle in the twenty-four hours ahead.

We begin each day free of yesterday, unburdened, hopeful, cheerful, confident, if we so choose.