One of our sons and daughter-in-law are celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary today!

The magic of their marriage is that it is a true partnership..

Each partner has an equal voice in all activities.

And because each person has a unique point-of-view, the ultimate decision is more beneficial for the marriage.

This is actually how a partnership should function.

If one of the partners is seeking dominance over the other, continuous friction is the outcome.

And this friction deprives the marriage of equal creativity from both.

So, a free flow of input from both partners permits the marriage to function at peak capacity!

Happy 35th anniversary!

Each day of our lives should be filled with gratitude.

I am not naive about the fact that we all have daily challenges.

But, we must keep our lives in perspective when looking at the lives of others.

Everyone has a burden of some magnitude.

The great majority of people in the world don’t have:

SAFETY

CLEAN WATER

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

A SHELTER OF THEIR OWN

AN EDUCATION

FREEDOM FROM DISEASE

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

So, let’s be grateful each day!

I’m talking about business risks.

Do you have an idea that could become a successful business?

The key to building a business is to fulfill a need NOT presently being met in the marketplace.

That’s the magic formula!

Here’s where the risk comes in.

If you think your idea is worth gambling on, you must spend money and time before you make money.

And it might require generous portions of each.

Do the proper preparation by studying your competitors and how your idea fulfills a unique need.

You will be less risk averse if you realize your offering is a winner.

If not today, when?

Will you reach out to someone in need?

Many times, it’s a family member.

I think all of us have noticed a person who is being neglected.

50% to 60% of Americans feel lonely or isolated on a regular basis.

Those are overwhelming statistics.

This is a perfect time with the holidays just around the corner.

Can you, will you reach out to someone who is lonely?

If not today, when?

Unfortunately, I am missing a family reunion beginning today due to illness.

We are all in our 70’s and 80’s now.

It is being held at my sister’s summer home in Northern Michigan.

It’s a beautiful lakefront location.

All of us siblings are still here with the exception of our brother who passed away recently.

He is dearly missed.

I’m the oldest and sorry I can’t be there to enjoy the closeness of family members.

I’m sure our parents are pleased to see us getting together and staying together.

We couldn’t have had better parents.

God bless them!

Maybe you tuned in to a ballgame, a local news report, or a weather or traffic update.

Maybe there’s even a talk or music station you’ve listened to for years, if not decades.

In a car, it can be as simple as just tapping a button — much easier than finding it on your phone.

Broadcasters are fighting to make sure that doesn’t have to change.

Legislation passed in the House last month that would require all new cars to have an AM radio.

Backers of the bill say the century-old tech is critical to ensuring all Americans still have a way to access emergency information. (CNN)

When I was growing up in South Bend, The White Sox was my team.

So, I was keenly interested in the SOX and their fate against the Guardians.

I watched the incredible comeback after losing the first two games in Cleveland.

And wouldn’t it be Ramirez with the winning hit in last night’s fifth game.

We have to give them credit for their grit!

Ironically, sports often reflects life.

Are you or a loved one in need of a comeback?

Learn the lesson taught us by Jose’ Ramirez and his Guardians.

Comebacks happen every ordinary day by ordinary people!

Make your comeback happen!

If not today, when?

Moms are GIVE and we are TAKE.

That’s the way it is designed.

So how do we express our thanks for all the GIVING?

Hopefully we become the kind of person she hoped we would become.

And that requires many steps along the way.

We are completely dependent on her at the beginning.

As the years go by we must meet her expectations of behavior and accomplishment.

I hope we become the kind of person who makes all her efforts worth it!

Be sure to THANK HER!

If not today, when?

There was an incident in a grocery store that brings today’s title to mind.

A husband and wife were shopping together.

The wife selected a box of donuts and placed it in their shopping cart.

Her husband took the box and placed it back on the shelf.

She said, “If we took the donuts home, he would have complained all day.”

I have always believed marriage is a lifelong courtship.

And should be conducted as such!

Do you agree?

Are you focused on the values you believe In?

Do you teach them to your kids?

We often get distracted with the minor issues of today.

This are the result of poor time management.

When we look back on our lives, will we have been the person we wanted to be?

Will those who follow want to live by our example?

Are you honest and do you tell the truth?

Do you keep your promises?

Do you reach out to help others in need?

What are the values you live by?