This is David Breaux, a graduate of Stanford University, who devoted his later years to the practice of compassion.

He would stand on a street corner in Irvine, California near the University.

He asked passersby to write their definition of COMPASSION in his notebook.

Sometimes, that encounter would grow into a discussion with his new friend.

Having suffered a traumatic childhood, he showed great compassion to everyone.

When asked how he was, he always answered, “Peaceful.”

He was very approachable and people poured out their deepest life concerns to him.

He often slept in shelters or on park benches.

This last April, Mr. Breaux was found on a park bench stabbed to death.

The city of Davis erected a shrine to Mr. Breaux on the street corner where he practiced his compassion to passersby.

Sometimes, life can be cruel and unfair.

His death was one of those times!

Don’t be surprised if an achievement is much harder than you thought it would be!

Nothing worthwhile is easy.

Parenting isn’t easy. It never has been and never will be.

A successful marriage requires patience and perseverance of both partners.

The road to success is always fraught with potholes.

You may have to experience some failures before you can clarify the right solution.

I started many businesses. None of them were easy. Some succeeded. Some failed.

It’s a wild ride.

Buckle up!

In all my years I’ve never seen such divisiveness.

The idea of RED and BLUE STATES is a huge mistake!

We did that once. We should not do it again.

We are the UNITED STATES.

Those in Congress should put the wellbeing of the country ahead of themselves.

When they vote along party lines, they’re NOT putting the country first.

They are Americans first and should put the interests of America first!

We call that PATRIOTISM!!

If not today, when?

Born in Ireland, the oldest of three girls.

She was pulled out of the third grade and sent to care for an aunt who was dying.

After she passed away, grandma was sent to the U.S. to care for an aging priest.

She went back to Ireland and brought her two sisters back to America.

One of her sisters died on the boat during the crossing.

She moved to Chicago where there was a large Irish community.

She met and married a fellow Irishman, timothy Dillon.

He rose to Battalion Chief in the Chicago Fire Department.

When my mother was 22 years old, he passed away.

Grandma lived alone after my mother married a professor at Notre Dame.

Grandma lived to the age of 93 and my mom lived to 91

I wanted to tell you her life story of hardship because she was a model of perseverance.

I’ll be back tomorrow!

How do you measure your degree of happiness?

Is it your relationships, wealth, health or something else?

Some people aren’t happy without all of the above in good quantities.

Others may not have wealth or health, but they have one person who loves them.

Another person recovering from a long illness is very HAPPY to be well again.

There are many people in every society who don’t have enough to eat. I’m sure they would be happier if food was more available & more affordable.

So, it seems that the measure of happiness is unique to each person’s situation.

To each of you, I wish you the HAPPINESS YOU”RE LOOKING FOR!

If not today, when?

We’re always busy in today’s world.

When, however, you need to make an improvement to your home, take the time to check with past customers first. Often they will give you insights that are important on the potential contractor that you won’t find on the contractor’s website.

It’s better to be safe than sorry.

i know this sounds a little far fetched, but with AI on the horizon, you’re not sure who or what you are talking to.

Last thing we need is a more complicated world.

This is especially true when we’re spending our money.

Although we raised six children, I don’t believe I’m an expert.

Here are some observations I’ve made while raising children to adulthood:

Unconditional Love

I don’t think there has been a more difficult time for child raising than now. Your children have many negative influences over which you have no control. Therefore, you must set yourself apart as the one person who will always love them no matter what.

Consistency

You must give praise when they do something praiseworthy and discipline when it is warranted.

Personal Example

They will learn more from what you do than what you say. This requires you to become the role model they strive to be.

Constant Communication

Because you didn’t grow up in times like these, you’ve got to know what’s going on with each child. This requires you to build trust so that they will talk to you.

A Parent Forever

Your responsibilities as a parent don’t end when your children reach 21 years of age. Their problems become more serious and you may be the only one they can trust.

Prayer

Unfortunately, there is no handbook on how to raise children. That is why we must always ask God for guidance in our journey.

Remove your shoes. Take your keys out of your pocket. Step on the scale?

That’s right: New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority is requiring that its national airline weigh passengers departing on international flights from Auckland International Airport through July 2, 2023.

The program, which Air New Zealand calls a passenger weight survey, is a way to gather data on the weight load and distribution for planes.

“We weigh everything that goes on the aircraft.

That includes the cargo to the meals onboard, to the luggage in the hold.”

“For customers, crew and cabin bags, we use average weights, which we get from doing this survey.”

Still, weight is a personal thing that not everyone wishes to disclose.

In order to protect individuals’ privacy, the airline says it has made the data anonymous. (CNN)

INTERESTING!!!

Today’s photo is of the Normandy American Cemetery in France.

The cemetery lies above Omaha Beach where thousands of young Americans gave their lives.

Those brave soldiers and marines will remain forever where they fought and died.

A number of years ago I met a veteran who went ashore in the first wave.

He said everyone was crying as they waded ashore.

Many of his friends died all around him.

Memorial Day is more than a day to enjoy a barbeque with friends and family.

It is a day to remember those thousands of young men who didn’t come home.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!