A day gone great

I've been having a rough couple weeks for multiple reasons. So when I woke up yesterday morning, there was really only one word that accurately described my state of mind: Bleh. I did not want to face the day, and I certainly did not want to be up at the ungodly hour of 6 AM with an enormous amount of things to accomplish. But here's pretty much how my day went:

1. I read my wonderful friend's inspiring blog post about choosing to have a good day.
2. I received a super encouraging, sweet email from my American Literature teacher from last year.
3. I finished school by lunchtime. (Which never happens)
4. I received a very encouraging email from one of my favorite people.
5. I taught a group lesson to four of my extremely enthusiastic and lively piano students. I decided any job in which you can get a picture like this while supposedly "working" is an incredible job:

6. I finished two projects I've been working on for several weeks.
7. My youth group featured a very inspiring Bible study lesson and sang one of my favorite praise songs during worship. Then, afterward, as I was talking with one of the eighth-grade girls while eating one of the most delicious chocolate-peanutbuttery things I have ever eaten, she randomly told me she thought I was "very pretty." 
8. I got home, only to find that the mother of one of my students had left me an extremely encouraging and uplifting message.

Besides this, I also: ate one of my favorite foods for dinner, had a boy from youth group give up his seat for me, got told I was skinny, got hugged multiple times by appreciative piano students, and ate a chocolate pumpkin. Yep, I think it was a pretty good day.

It's crazy to think that the God of the universe cares when I'm having a bad day, but it's so clear He does.  I've been so blessed to be surrounded by such an encouraging community of people, and all the little things those people do make such a big difference. It makes me realize what an impact you can have on someone's day if you just take the time to write them a quick note or give them a heartfelt compliment. What if we all made it our goal to make the day of each person we come in contact with a little bit brighter?

Yesterday was a day gone great, and I'm praising God for that. But even when days don't go great, I want to stay joyful. My Savior died for my sins. He is willing to listen to me whenever I want to talk to Him. He provides everything I need. My God--not anything this life can give--is the true source of joy.

I have a beautiful house, a loving family, a closet stuffed full of clothes and a pantry full of delicious food. I need to get my eyes of myself and start loving those around me more. And if I can ever give anyone the kind of day my friends and family gave me yesterday, I'll know I've succeeded.