“At the End of the Day…”

This was a mantra repeated often by the NYC Managing Director of a nonprofit where I worked. I found it to be amusing, yet so starkly true.

“At the end of the day” is an American idiom and phrasal verb that means: (Literally) at the time when work or one's waking hours end; (Figuratively)  when everything else has been taken into consideration; (Informally) something that you say before you say what you believe to be the most important fact of a situation;  finally, in the end.”  http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/at+the+end+of+the+day

We can rationalize, pontificate, debate, argue, and passionately defend or refute anything we want. But…it will not change the irrefutable facts that are present.

Some modern day examples are:

• Just because you deny you are pregnant will not stop the baby from arriving in 9 months;
• Just because you took electives in college, such as Swimming, Roller Skating and Tennis to get an “easy A” (since you knew how to do them well) did not exempt you from coming to class, doing the assignments or taking the tests to pass the course;
• Just because you “hate” President Barack Obama and vehemently disagree with his policies will not erase the numbers that indicate he will go down in history as one of the greatest Presidents in Modern Times; 
• You may solicit advice and go to doctors, but managing your own health is ultimately your responsibility.

This rings true when it comes to believing God and preparing for Christ's return.

The Bible says:

Matthew 24:44 (NKJV): Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

2 Peter 3:10 (NKJV):  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

James 5:8 (NKJV):  You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Memorable Quotes:

"At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or what you’ve accomplished.  It's about who you've lifted up, who you've made better. It's about what you've given back." — Denzel Washington

“At the end of the day, you can either focus on what's tearing you apart, or what's holding you together.”

"If you can't fly then run. If you can't run then walk. If you can't walk then crawl. But whatever you do you have to Keep Moving Forward."  - Martin Luther King Jr.

“At the end of the day, it’s the choices you make that count.”  - Lucas Scott

“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.” ~ Frida Kahlo

“At the end of the day, let there be no excuses, no explanations, no regrets.”  - Dr. Steve Maraboli

“At the end of the day, your health is your responsibility. – Jillian Michaels

And Finally…

"At the end of the day, who you are is totally and completely up to you."