How do you wake up each morning? One of my suggestions is to wake up just like a kid, and it is your birthday or Christmas: It is going to be a great day. My thoughts are “I can’t wait to see what God is going to do today!” You say, “Jerry, you do not have my problems. If you did, you would be sad too.” No, I do not have your problems. I have enough of my own problems. Friends that are sick or not doing well.

But look on the positive side and your problems will not be so big. My God is bigger than my problems, and yours are not that big.

Last night Shane Bates was talking about going to the hospital with his dad and seeing a lot of very sick kids with cancer. Right then he knew how blessed he was with a family with good health. Money problems did not even count at that time.

Friends, take your problems and write them down on a piece of paper, read over them, set them on fire and move on.

I dare you to look at all the good things in your life and be very thankful for all the blessings that have come your way. If you do not have a good church home, find one. If you have one, get involved.

You can feel better about yourself if you get off your butt and help someone else.

Tomorrow is not promised so make the most out of each and every day.

Take shut-ins some flowers. There are day lilies on the side of the road. Stop, pick some and make someone smile.

Do not feel sorry for yourself.

Get happy by doing positive things for other people.

Jerry Johnson is President of First Realty of LaGrange.