Don't Worry About Tomorrow.

Today's Cookie urges you to focus on today's troubles.

My father was a social worker when I was growing up, working specifically with Vietnam veterans for many years. However, the economy took a turn for the worse, and social services for veterans were cut down dramatically. As a result, my father found himself unemployed several times, and times were tough. As a child, it was difficult for me to comprehend such matters, but I knew something was wrong.

As much as my parents tried to remain positive and hide our situation from us, I could plainly see that we didn't have enough food on the table. Seeing that there was only enough bread for three people, my mother would give us each a piece and announce that she didn't care for any bread. I didn't understand what was happening, and I grew weary and anxious.

One day, I had gotten myself all worked up and worried about our future, asking, "What are we going to do?" and "What is going to happen to us?" My mother just smiled and quoted this verse, saying, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." I was greatly comforted by these words. As a child, I used to think that it simply meant, "don't worry about tomorrow," and in that moment, I suppose it was exactly what I needed to hear.

Throughout my career, one of my principal responsibilities has been to establish strategic plans and projections looking forward. The strategic plans I create outline a roadmap for as little as three months to as many as three or five years. While I believe that worrying about tomorrow gives little advantage or benefit, setting objectives and goals for the future are of critical importance. However, a plan for tomorrow is useless unless you are prepared to work toward your goal today.

As a child, I focused on the first part of that verse, and I tried my best not to worry about tomorrow. As a professional, I am focused on the second part of the verse, which says, "Each day has enough trouble of its own." This, my friends, is the most important part of today's cookie! While you may have a terrific plan for the next three quarters, you cannot realize your goals without dealing with the gauntlet of obstacles, hurdles, and challenges you have before you today—right now.

The troubles you currently face are already so difficult. Don't let tomorrow's worries distract you, as they will be here soon enough. As the fortune says, "Today is the tomorrow we were worried about yesterday."