Ralph Waldo Emerson was a great poet, essayist, and lecturer and his works include so many great, inspiring quotes. These quotes have lasted over one hundred years, and one quote that can really be helpful in living a great life is the following: “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in, forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day, you shall begin it well and serenely.” Emerson is saying that people should not live with regrets. He is saying that people should look at every day as a new one and not allow the events of yesterday to affect today. Wake up every morning with a clean slate – do not be disturbed by anything and be completely calm. Everyone should follow this quote and live by it. It can help to make a person better, avoid arguments with others, and overall look on the bright side of life.
What makes a person good? One thing is by having the right attitude about life. If a person wakes up every morning with a smile on his face and feeling calm, it can lead to a good day in general. Emerson explains that when he says, “Tomorrow is a new day, you shall begin it well and serenely.” Not looking back on past events that made one angry can save a person time by eliminating all the time that is wasted by thinking over things that shouldn’t really matter. If unnecessary thoughts are forgotten as soon as possible, there will be more time to think over what matters. With that attitude, a person can pay more attention to the important things of life and avoid pondering over the “blunders and absurdities.” Emerson clearly states this even in the very first sentence of the quote, as he says, “Finish each day and be done with it.”
If a person forgets about all of the meaningless things in life, there are many arguments that can be avoided. This is especially in high school where most things that are debated are ones that shouldn’t even matter – who is going out with whom, what outfit someone is wearing, how someone reacted and what another person said, etc. Letting foolish things slide and forgiving people easily is what Emerson is talking about when he says, “Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in, forget them as soon as you can,” because they shouldn’t phase a person. Many times, humanity is bothered by trivial things. Emerson believes that if people rid themselves of them, you will be happier and begin each new day calm and collected.
Finally, Emerson reminds the reader that, “You have done what you could.” He is saying that people should let go of things that don’t matter. In order to live happily and always be looking on the bright side of life, one should push aside the thoughts of how they could’ve done better. When a person continuously looks back on what he has done or has not done, he will probably see the glass half full. This is because that person may be afraid to take another step because what happened in the past may repeat itself. Forgetting things that no one should care about can make a person stay optimistic about life and all the actions and words involved.
All in all, Emerson uses this quote to remind people that they should live with out regrets. Thinking that way can make a better person, control arguments, and turn pessimism into optimism. These three life lessons should be followed by every one, and Emerson clearly explains that in the quote. With that in mind, everyone can be happier with life and live life to its fullest.
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