Meridian Magazine :: Can Do Youth: Have a Fine Day

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Have a Fine Day
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

Editor's Note: If you've always wanted to sail to Alaska or the Caribbean, you can do it in the company of Vickey Pahnke -Taylor and Meridian Magazine. Click here for information about Alaska, and here for details about the Caribbean.

I have thin hair. Really thin hair. Like — one layer of it. When you lift the one layer, there are no layers under it. There have been discussions among the children about poor Mom who has so little hair. Some times, I hate my hair — or lack of it. I wish I had a thick, lustrous mane like the people we see on television. Other times, I am just grateful I have hair at all. And thankful that, when it is wet, it dries it in almost no time!

I have come to see that it all depends upon my mood or my attitude.

When I am feeling optimistic and good inside, the little things do not get me down. The mature-in-spirit attitude does not allow silly, fretful bothers to come between me, and the Holy Spirit. The better part of me — that divinely connected me — has a proper handle on the things that really count.

On these occasions, I am rewarded with a great day because I determine to discount the unimportant, or deal with what is.

Here is a great mini-story with a powerful message:

There was once a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. “Well,” she said, “I think I'll braid my hair today.” So she did.

And she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only two hairs on her head.

“Hmm,” She said, “I think I'll part my hair down the middle today.” So she did.

And she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only one hair on her head.

“Well,” she said, ‘Today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.” So she did.

And she had a great, fun day.

The next day when she woke up and looked in the mirror, there wasn't a single hair on her head.

“Well!,” she exclaimed, “I don't have to fix my hair today!”

And she had a fine day.

Great story, huh? When I read it:

My thoughts went to the disparity in my days when I choose to be happy or miserable depending upon foolish, less-important things. (Or things I can do absolutely nothing about.)

I thrilled that I have a lot more than three hairs, at least!

I reflected on so many who don't have a single hair on their head- because of illness, gene patterns, or strong therapies — and rejoiced for what I have (in more ways than hairs on my head.)

I realized that there are some who do not care one way or the other — perhaps because they understand that we make a fine day for ourselves. Inwardly, quietly, and simply we tune our hearts to higher things and thus have fine days!

I hoped that those of us with thin hairs, or thin hopes, hang in there and turn things around through determination to create something good out of something that seems otherwise.

I pondered over how the seemingly simple choices of attitude affect our moments, our days, our life's direction.

While I may have thin hair, that need not be reflected in thin patience. I can take to heart the counsel we read in Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Clearing up the symptoms of discouragement, the merry heart offers healing, positive experiences.

Elder Orson F. Whitney once taught, “The spirit of the gospel is optimistic. It trusts in God and looks on the bright side of things. The opposite or pessimistic drags men down and away from God, looks on the dark side, murmurs, complains, and is slow to yield obedience.” (April 1917 General Conference)

I can determine to have a fine day!

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About the Author:

Vickey is a songwriter/producer, vocalist, and professional speaker, and has performed and/or taught in numerous venues. Her compositions include the theme songs for the Special Olympics program (state by state selection), the Make A Wish Foundation, the Especially For Youth program of the Church, and the Families In Focus program. She is a Billboard award winning songwriter, with hundreds of songs to her credit.

She has enjoyed participation in the Church Education System’s youth and family programs for almost two decades, having taught for Know Your Religion, Campus Education Week at BYU-Provo, BYU-Hawaii, and BYU- Idaho, Especially for Youth, Best of Especially for Youth, and BYU Conferences and Workshops.

Studying musical theater at BYU, she has used that learning experience in the music field as a way of enhancing the teaching of correct principles. Her latest gospel works include the collaborative projects "Women at the Well" with Kenneth Cope and "My Beloved Christ" with Randy Kartchner. Vickey has contributed to numerous EFY albums over the years and as a chapter contributor for many yearly EFY books; and as contributor the best selling LDS compilation, Sunshine for the Latter Day Saint Teenage Soul. She authored the book K.I.S.S.: Gospel Guidelines for Better Relationships for Bookcraft Publishing Company. For two years she was editor and columnist for "Gems for Youth" on the web at LDSWorld.com, formerly the Church’s electronic arm.

Vickey’s performance/teaching experience includes venues from participation with a nationally touring Repertory Theater Company to Symphony Halls to corporate conventions throughout the U.S. She has been commissioned to write scripts for the Faith & Values Channel; and created and directed the Bi-Centennial celebration for the Hampton Roads, Virginia area.

She holds a masters degree in interpersonal communications and currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is married to Dean Taylor and together they have eight children and two grandchildren.