50 Simple Things You Can Do that will Make Every Day Better

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This is my list of things I wish I'd known years ago - things learned the hard way but that when done faithfully promise to make every day better. #makelifebetter #blessyourlife #blessings #faith

Rev and I are celebrating our 50th Anniversary on Friday, March 11th.

I can’t believe it! Time really does fly when you’re having fun! I know I don’t feel old enough to have been married that long.

To celebrate, I thought it might be fun to focus on the #50 all week.

Today, I’d like to share 50 things I’ve learned about embracing life . . . simple ways to make every day better.

Rev and I moved to St. Louis just a few months after we were married so he could work at the Seminary where he would begin taking classes in the fall.

My teaching job didn’t start for 10 weeks. In retrospect, I should have looked for a part-time job because sitting alone in our little apartment all day was not good for my mental health or my waistline. I gained 35 lbs. that summer.

Oh, the things I wish I’d known back then…

50 Simple Things to Do that will Make Every Day Better

This is my list of things I wish I'd known years ago - things learned the hard way but that when done faithfully promise to make every day better. #makelifebetter #blessyourlife #blessings #faith

1. Live in the present – don’t relive the past or worry about the future.

2. Take time for prayer and Bible reading.

3. Ask, seek, and knock for truth and wisdom.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

4. Admit your mistakes and ask for forgiveness.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:17

5. Refuse to participate in gossip.

6. Let go of your need for control.

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21

7. Take time to watch the sun as it rises and sets.

8. Use the good dishes . . . find something to celebrate every day.

9. Spend time with friends, do life together.

10. Be your own best cheerleader – God created and loves unique and beautiful you.

Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 (NLT)

11. Live with abundant gratitude.

12. Always tell the truth.

13. Look for something good in everyone.

14. Drink more water.

15. Start each day with a clean slate.

16. Don’t compare yourself or your life with anyone else’s.

17. Keep every promise you make.

It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. Ecclesiastes 5:5

18. Know your purpose and set reasonable goals.

19. Eat that Frog – do the hard things first.

20. Stop trying to impress everyone.

21. Make your bed every day.

22. Don’t settle for just okay.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Colossians 3:23

This is my list of things I wish I'd known years ago - things learned the hard way but that when done faithfully promise to make every day better. #makelifebetter #blessyourlife #blessings #faith

23. Do something kind for those who can’t repay you.

24. Be strong and courageous.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 3:16

25. Be generous with your smile.

26. Notice and enjoy simple pleasures.

27. Talk less and listen more.

28. Forgive quickly.

Bear with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

29. Say “please” and “thank you” and mean it.

30. Eat to live don’t live to eat.

31. Strive for better, not perfect.

I can do all things through Christ, because He gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NCV)

32. Learn something new thing every day.

33. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

34. Ask for help when you need it.

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him, and He helps me. Psalm 28:7

35. Take the stairs . . . add more steps to your day.

36. Don’t waste time complaining.

37. Get rid of clutter and simplify your life.

38. Learn when to say “no” and do it.

39. Donate things you no longer need or use.

40. If you can change it – change it; if you can’t – don’t fret about it.

41. Be stronger than your excuses.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

42. Laugh often.

43. Remember baby steps are still steps.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23

44. Savor every moment – each one is a precious gift.

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad today! Psalm 118:24

This is my list of things I wish I'd known years ago - things learned the hard way but that when done faithfully promise to make every day better. #makelifebetter #blessyourlife #blessings #faith

45. Do at least one thing just for fun every day.

46. Do everything with great love.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. 1 Corinthians 16:13–14

47. Be yourself – you are uniquely and wonderfully made.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. Psalm 139:14

48. Count your blessings – keep a gratitude journal.

49. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” Mark 12:29–30

50. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.

 “The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:31

Well, that’s my list, and here’s my prayer…

A Prayer Thanking God for His Grace, Mercy, Love, and Patience
As I Try to Glorify Him and Make Every Day Better

Father, thank you for the wisdom and guidance of Your Word. Thank you for not only wanting me to spend eternity with You but for wanting me to have what I need to make every day better today. I know this list of things will bless my life and I want to live it perfectly but I fail and I ask for Your forgiveness.

Thank you for Your patience and mercy . . . for forgiving me again and again. Thank you for Your grace and love that give me everything I need. Thank you for Jesus, who saves, and for the Spirit, who helps. I want to live with love and make every day better. I want to glorify You in everything I do and say. I trust that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and in whose name, I pray. Amen.

May God be with you and bless you and give you everything you need to make every day better.

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32 Comments

  1. Sheronda Edwards says:

    Good morning. I don’t often reply to your post. I’m sorry, but I want you to know that I read them every day. I appreciate your hard work in preparing them. I thoroughly enjoy each and every one. God bless you and thank you. Congratulations on your marriage. Praying God will continue to bless you and your husband.

    1. No need to be sorry, Sheronda. I’m so glad you visit and that you are being blessed. I appreciate your kind well-wishes! Thank you so very much! God be with you and bless you!

  2. Happy Anniversary, Deb! Fifty years is an amazing testimony to everyone of your love and commitment to one another and to the Lord. Thanks for your inspirational list here today, too.
    Blessings!

    1. Thanks so much, Martha! I am so blessed by your faithful kindness and encouragement. Blessings and hugs!

  3. Congratulations on 50 years! Wow. God bless you and your ministry. They are a blessing to me. I love this list and I’m looking forward to all the other “50s” this week.

    1. Thank you, Yvonne! I sure appreciate your kindness. God be with you and bless you!

    2. Congratulations on 50 years. What an accomplishment on both your parts. It is a time of happiness for all your family to share. Thank you for letting your Counting My Blessings family know. Happy Anniversary!!!

      1. Thank you, Jean! You’re right . . . it takes both people to make a marriage work. Both people leaning on God’s grace, mercy, and love. God be with you!

  4. Happy anniversary Deb. May you have many more years together.
    Thank you for this list of encouraging topics. When I was reading them, I realize that I need to put several into practice. Your articles have helped me so much. Thank you.

    1. Thanks much, Carolyn! I’m not as consistent as I want to be with all of them either. I know they make my days better but I’ll admit my mood can sometimes interfere with the truth. What a blessing to live under the grace in our marriage and before the Lord. God bless you!

  5. Great wisdom here as always, Deb! Congratulations on this great anniversary milestone! You bring light to so many in how you live your life and steward your gifts.

    1. Oh, thank you, Pam! I feel so blessed to have all of you as friends and encouragers. Blessings and hugs!

  6. Hope you have a wonderful and blessed anniversary and many more! This post was so awesome and inspiring. I want to Thank you for your great and uplifting post. Take care❤

    1. Thank you, Teressa! I sure do appreciate your encouragement. God be with you and bless you!

  7. Congratulations and thank you for this wealth of wisdom

  8. Hi, Deb! Congratulations to you and your beloved on this milestone! The 50 list is great! I’m saving it for our memory book. What a testimony to God’s blessings in your married life. I appreciate every inspirational post and thank you for your sharing! We say “I do” each morning and like the “attitude of gratitude” reminder on our wall art! God’s blessings for many more happy, healthy years together!

    1. Thanks much, Jane! I love that idea . . . saying “I do” each morning. What a wonderful way to say “I love you” and honor your promise. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. God bless!

  9. AMAZING! Congratulations on 50 years of marriage! You are an inspiration to many!! May God grant you many many many more years to come!

    1. Thanks so very much, Felicia! I truly appreciate your kindness. Blessings!

  10. Congratulations Deb!!! It’s a blessed life time together, and wish you many more to come by the grace of the Lord ????????

  11. Kathy Francescon says:

    Happy 50th to you and Rev! What a blessing to each other you have obviously been! I have loved all the wonderful comments your post garnered today!! Sure they have been a delight to you!! And I am printing myself a copy of this and will reference it often!! Hope you realize from all the comments how much we love you and appreciate you. Your posts lift and inspire, guide and teach us and have given me so much comfort along the way. You are such a blessing to so many!
    Blessings for 50 yrs of marriage and thank you so much for sharing such an important milestone with all of us! Wishing you and Rev a wonderful day of wonderful love!!
    And a three fold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 Amen

    1. Kathy, your words are such a lovely encouragement to my heart . . . thank you so very much! I love that you added Ecclesiastes 4:12 – we chose that as our verse for the year and without knowing it, our daughter bought us a beautiful plaque with that verse on it. I love the way God lifts and blesses! God be with you, my friend!

  12. Happy 50th Anniversary to you both!
    May God continue to Bless the love in
    your hearts and your life together with
    an ever-deepening faith.
    May every precious memory bring a smile
    to your faces.
    Warm Blessings always.

    1. Thank you, Raquel! I truly appreciate your kind encouragement. God bless you!

  13. Susan Parish says:

    Congratulations, Deb, On fifty years of marriage! I love to hear stories like yours … they truly bless my heart. Thank you for this wonderful and inspiring post! I’m working on being present in the moment. It’s too easy to let my mind wonder sometimes. ????
    You have a beautiful smile!!

    1. Thanks much, Susan! We feel so blessed! It took me far too long to learn the lesson of presence. Praise God for His faithfulness and patience. I always say that I’m a work in progress. By His grace, I’m able to spend less time struggling with the past or worrying about the future. I so appreciate your visit and your kind words of encouragement. Blessings!

  14. Claire Scott says:

    Joy is the word I use for your posts.
    Congratulations on your 50 years of marriage. Another testimony to a life given to Him.
    Appreciate your posts each day…first thing i look for in my email…
    So grateful, so grateful I found you on Pinterest.

    1. Thank you so much, Claire! What a kind word of encouragement. I truly appreciate that you took the time to let me know. God bless you!

  15. A great list and a page to bookmark. Thank you Deb.

    1. Thank you, Angela! I’m always blessed by your comments and encouragement. God be with you!