Not just at the holidays.

The amazing fact about life is that each day is unique.

Because of that, we have a chance to rise each morning and make it better than yesterday.

During the holidays, we put on our best face.

We say “hello” and wish everyone good cheer.

Why can’t we do that everyday?

Our loved ones and friends deserve the best of us.

Try to put on your holiday face all year long.

If not today, when?

REGULAR EXERCISE-It can be as simple as walking. But you must be committed to it.

CUT DOWN ON ULTRAPROCESSED FOODS- These “junk foods” contain high amounts of chemicals like preservatives, emulsifiers, artificial colorings and dyes. Eating higher amounts of ultraprocessed food may shorten lifespan by more than 10%.

GET REGULAR SLEEP-Sleep is the 3rd part of a simple plan to improve your immune system.

Lack of physical activity and higher consumption of ultraprocessed food are both associated with obesity, which is linked to impaired immune function.

People should aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate to high-intensity exercise and should try to have a diet that emphasizes whole foods such as vegetables, lean meats, beans, whole grains and nuts. (CNN)

We have all done it.

Especially in these times with so much uncertainty and the business world so chaotic.

But all family members, regardless of age, deserve all of you at the holiday season.

It’s not easy, but you know I’m right.

I must confess that my very active business life was always on my mind.

The worst thing to hear from your spouse is, “You’re not listening to me!”

Your kids may not say it but they would like your FULL attention too.

Make it a MERRY CHRISTMAS for all your family.

Instead of being able to calmly focus on her chemotherapy treatment, Arete Tsoukalas had to spend hours on the phone arguing with her insurer while receiving infusions in the hospital.

Diagnosed with leukemia three years ago, Tsoukalas, 26, was stunned to learn that her insurer’s coverage of the drug she needed came with a $13,000 monthly copay, which the recent college graduate could not afford.

She was forced to go without the medication for three months, when she was finally able to obtain it through the drug manufacturer’s assistance program.

“No one should have to be fighting cancer and insurance at the same time.” Tsoukalas said. “It’s such a cruel system.”

We live in a country where people are truly kicked down when they are at their weakest and most vulnerable, both physically and emotionally.” (CNN)

The United Health Care CEO concedes “Health care does not work as well as it should. Our mission is to help make it work better.” Andrew Witty.

If not today, when?

“Just thought we’d drop by.”

Now that’s an act of spontaneity.

It wasn’t on their computer calendar.

It wasn’t on their “Todo” list.

It was just an impulse that it would be fun to see so and so!

Sudden impulses are too rare in today’s hi tech society!

We send “Happy Birthday” texts, but we don’t make a surprise visit or even a phone call.

Nope, a text only takes a few seconds, but no human contact.

WE’RE DRIFTING APART!

Do you do either?

Let’s take WORK HARD.

I would add WORK SMART to WORK HARD.

Is your chosen WORK HARD life moving you forward in your chosen career?

Whether you work for yourself or others, stagnation is not WORKING SMART.

And how about your PLAY HARD?

You must return to your WORK LIFE refreshed by how you spend your time off work.

What is your PLAY HARD?

How do you escape the world of work?

Many of us don’t PLAY HARD ever!

We carry our work problems home with us.

So, we never return to the work world refreshed.

Look at yourself.

Do you ever WORK HARD (smart) or PLAY HARD (refreshed)?

Tre Sisco wanted a teaching job with a good work-life balance after graduating from Missouri Southern State University in 2023.

During his job hunt, he learned Missouri’s Independence School District was moving to a nontraditional, four-day school week — a change that would give staff and students Mondays off.

The district is part of a growing trend in rural communities, where schools are switching to four-day school weeks to attract and retain high-quality teachers amid funding challenges and a nationwide teacher shortage. (CNN)

A shortage of teachers is the primary motive driving this trend.

I hope the kids don’t lose out!

After a great season, Army quarterback Bryson Daily was in the Heisman conversation.

He just had one more game to go, the annual Army-Navy game.

Army went into the game as the favorite because of his well-earned credentials.

Unfortunately, it was the worst game of his career.

He threw three interceptions while losing to Navy 31-13.

It was one of the largest margins in the history of the rivalry.

He came in sixth in the Heisman voting.

There are buildings at West Pointe with permanently etched these words, BEAT NAVY.

I hope Bryson can try to put the game in perspective.

Easy for me to say, but it’s still a game.

I wish him well.

Things happen.

It could be your fault or caused by someone else.

Assigning fault is a waste of time.

Will you leave it behind and point your personal resources in another direction?

Past mistakes just weigh us down.

Even dwelling on the past wastes valuable energy.

If there is some valuable lesson that can be obtained from a previous experience, that’s fine.

Otherwise it is like carrying a huge weight on your back day in and day out.

Let the weight go and move on. You will experience a feeling of freedom and a new beginning.

We each only have so many days left in our lives.

Invest them wisely!

If not today, when?

Boris and Svetlaya are two Siberian tigers.

They are orphans who were raised together.

They were reintroduced to the wild separately when they were 18 months old.

Boris surprised scientists by walking 120 miles to find Svetlaya where she had made a home.

We’ll never know how he found her.

Six months later, Svetlaya gave birth to a litter of cubs! (NYT)

What a LOVE STORY!