On my cross-country bike ride in 2017, I came across this piece of forgotten playground equipment in Wyoming. Standing quietly in the grass, unused yet unbroken, it stirred something familiar: a reminder of simpler times.

Mondays give us a chance to reset — a fresh start to shape the week ahead. That’s why I love Motivational Monday: it’s a reminder to focus on what’s right in front of us.

This week’s thought is simple yet powerful: We only get one day at a time.

When I rode my bike near McKenzie Pass in Oregon, I was struck by the contrast of the rugged rock fields in the foreground and the snow-capped peaks shining in the distance. At first glance, the terrain appears harsh, almost unwelcoming—jagged stone, weathered stumps, and lifeless ground. But lift your eyes just a little higher, and you see the mountain standing steady and clear, framed by blue sky and fresh clouds.