You are confronted again and again with the choice of letting God speak or letting your wounded self cry out. Although there has to be a place where you can allow your wounded part to get the attention it needs, your vocation is to speak from the place in you where God dwells.

~Henri J. M. Nouwen

Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile. Don't only give your care, but give your heart as well.

~J. S. Bach

Almighty God,

as I cross the threshold of this day

I commit myself, soul, body, affairs, friends, to Thy care.

Watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless me.

Incline my heart to thy ways.

Mould me wholly into the image of Jesus,

as a potter forms clay.

May my lips be a well-tuned harp to sound Thy praise.

Let those around see me living by Thy Spirit,

trampling the world underfoot,

unconformed to lying vanities,

transformed by a renewed mind,

clad in the entire armour of God,

shining as a never-dimmed light,

showing holiness in all my doings.

Let no evil this day soil my thoughts, words, hands.

May I travel miry paths with a life pure from spot or stain.

In needful transactions

let my affection be in heaven,

and my love soar upwards in flames of fire,

my gaze fixed on unseen things,

my eyes open to the emptiness, fragility, mockery of earth and its vanities.

May I view all things in the mirror of eternity,

waiting for the coming of my Lord,

listening for the last trumpet call,

hastening unto the new heaven and earth.

Order this day all my communications according to Thy wisdom,

and to the gain of mutual good.

Forbid that I should not be profited or made profitable.

May I speak each word as if my last word,

and walk each step as my final one.

If my life should end today, let this be my best day.