I’m realizing that each day is a new start. I’m not stuck as long as I meet each day with the desire to make good decisions minute by minute.

I ask myself, “What is the next right thing to do?”

My ‘To Do’ list written the night before helps me accomplish what I consciously decided was important for this day. It gives me a sense of direction and reminds me what matters today. I include on this list people that I want to give a warm hug to via email or a phone call. I include steps of large projects I’m working on. Little things I would forget to do if I didn’t write them down are included on the list.

For months, this tiny figurine sat next to my computer to remind me to ask, “What is the next right thing to do?”

What could you use to remind yourself to make excellent choices throughout the day? Have you bought a 2016 planner/date book to keep your “To Do” lists organized?

I’m realizing that the accumulation of doing the next right thing brings big rewards.

I stumble every day, but because each day is new, I have a new opportunity to do the next right thing. The sum total of the stumbles and right actions mixed with a whole lot of grace and forgiveness bring rich rewards.

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

• Kahlil Gibran, from The Prophet •