(The first verse of the Prayer of St. Francis.)

Every verse appeals to our higher nature.

This is an aspiration that makes living so much more worthwhile.

It is a daily struggle each of us must endure.

I want to encourage you to pray the Prayer of St. Francis.

You can Google it and make a personal copy.

Hopefully, it will lighten your load!

If not today, when?

Olivier Rioux is so tall primarily due to his genetics.

He comes from a very tall family, with his father at 6′8′′6, his mother at 6′2′′6, and his older brother at 6′9′′6.

Doctors have investigated his height but have found no medical conditions like gigantism, attributing it to inherited genes.

Now that we know about his genes, how about his daily life?

Does he need custom-made clothes?

How does he get in and out of a car?

Does he have many friends?

Any possibility of a girl friend?

How does he cope with people gawking everywhere he goes?

Does he often feel lonely?

In a situation in which a person stands out from the majority of others, the best advice is to celebrate their difference.

Evidently his college in Florida does it well. He is making a huge contribution to their team and has many fans.

Celebrate diversity with every opportunity!

(Mother Teresa)

Easy for her to say, because she’s spent a lifetime giving.

And she wants us to give till it hurts?

Not realistic!

Most Americans are struggling to provide for themselves and their families.

Here’s a thought: The surgeon General has declared an epidemic of loneliness.

Some sources report 50% of Americans are lonely.

Do you know someone who is lonely?

If so, call them regularly.

That’s a simple way to give without hurting!

(Benjamin Franklin)

So, history will judge us by our deeds, not our words.

Are you a doer?

A doer is a person who takes action to accomplish tasks.

This requires such a person to be goal oriented.

And once a goal is identified, to have the courage to act.

Franklin was a delegate from Pennsylvania and a signer of the Constitution.

Obviously the actions of a doer.

How about you?

Remember the piece of white paper that fell out of your playbill.

It listed the cast changes for today’s performance.

It’s been replaced with a QR code printed on the playbill.

So, you’ll have to scan the code with your phone to learn of cast changes.

You may not like this change, but that’s the way it will be.

Another hi tech change you’ll have to learn or be left BEHIND!

(Vivian Greene)

It seems like there is a lot of rain in the news these days.

So, how should we deal with it?

It doesn’t help us to wish it would stop raining.

We really have no control over the bad news that comes our way.

We have a life to live and priorities that must be addressed.

We must hold ourselves accountable to live by the values we hold dear.

And by doing so, we create our own sunshine!

If not today, when?

You might be surprised at today’s title.

We are usually hard on ourselves.

Many of us are quick to criticize ourselves.

And many of us are not in the habit of celebrating us!

Well, it’s time you do!

Begin by thinking of the challenges you’ve faced and overcome.

Also, remember the times you’ve reached out to help others.

There are people who love you.

So, they have found you to be lovable.

There is a lot to celebrate!

Do you wake up in the morning worrying about what’s going on in the world?

It seems that there is so much going on, so much to keep track of.

What is going on in our Country? What is going on in countries at war? Will people have enough food? Who will lose their job today?

Endless concerns and not much that you can do about it which makes the angst worse.

You hesitate to turn on the news because even more will be added.

You can’t put your head in the sand but you also can’t allow yourself to get bogged down with problems you personally are unable to solve.

This may sound overly simplistic and may not be the solution for everyone but I believe that there is a God whom I ask every day for peace in the world and peace in my heart and then I try to make the world around me a better place.

Remember, you’re not starting from scratch.

You’re starting from EXPERIENCE!

You are much wiser now.

You can use that wisdom to make better choices today and tomorrow!

Life is a constant learning opportunity to do better and be better.

Thankfully, we learn from both our successes and our failures.

My wife likes to say, “GOD’S not done with us yet.”

She’s right again!

We know our world could use a lot more kindness.

An easy example would be to hold the door open for a stranger.

Or, to make an unexpected visit to a sick friend.

One of our grandchildren is working at a new job in New York.

She was pleasantly surprised when receiving a text wishing her well on the train ride her first morning.

If you could brighten another person’s day, doesn’t it brighten yours too?

Try it. You’ll like it!

If not today when?