Emerson wrote this in 1870, the year he turned 67. His memory was beginning to fail. He had already buried his first wife, his beloved son Waldo, and several close friends. He had earned every reason to see the days as diminishing. He wrote this anyway.
The poem isn't wishful thinking. It's a decision. Emerson doesn't say every day is the best day — he says to write it on your heart that it is. The act of writing is intentional. Deliberate. You don't stumble into this belief. You inscribe it.
The rest of the poem follows: finish each day and be done with it. Some blunders crept in — forget them. Tomorrow is new. This new day is too dear to waste a moment on yesterday.
He's describing a practice, not a feeling. The optimist doesn't wait to feel grateful before being grateful. They write it on their heart first, and let the feeling follow.
The invitation: What would change today if you started it with this already written on your heart?
Feedback
Your suggestions help me make this book even better. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.