But surely, every day is equally the anniversary of something wonderful.

It's all in how you look at it.

Perhaps a calendar of wonderful anniversaries would be an antidote to depression:

This is the day I first heard tender words from someone dear; this is the day I stopped smoking; ten years ago on this day I committed myself to a program of positive living and spiritual growth.

Keeping such a calendar, even for a short time, gives us a record of spiritual progress.

Even to be able to say, "How different I am from what I was five years ago" can be a truly cheering thing.

Why let the tyranny of history depress our spirits?

Let's make our own.

A sculptor begins with an unformed piece of marble. He must be able to envision what he wants to create.

Then, armed with tools and courage, he begins to chink away at the marble he does not need.

Every day he examines how it looks and what he wants it to become. 

Every one of us who is trying to be a better person is like the sculptor. We envision who we want to be and what kind of qualities we believe in.

Some of these qualities might be kindness, good self-esteem, the ability to love and feel loved.

If we are honest, we must also look with the artist's eye at our faults. We might see some jealousy and resentment, or feelings of superiority. 

Our faults, human as they are, are like unwanted marble that keeps our most loving selves from taking shape. 

Carving away at our faults is hard work, and sometimes even hurts.

Yet we do not do this work alone -- we can only do it with the help of our God.