Because we’re creatures of habit, our future may be similar to our past.

UNLESS we decide to take a different path.

Change is difficult.

But it may be necessary if we are to achieve a better outcome.

So, what has to change?

We must set new goals. It’s the only way to measure our progress.

Are you going to require special training to make the goal possible?

Should you team up with a partner?

Does it require financing?

If married, does your spouse support you in this new endeavor?

As you can see, success is not an accident.

It takes planning, courage and hard work!

Yes, some of them are immmigrants.

My grandparents emigrated from Ireland, my wife’s from Austria.

So, we all emigrated from some other country.

Back to the 146,000 NYC school kids who don’t know where they’ll sleep tonight.

Really? In America?

Those homeless kids are not responsible for their parents decisions.

Enough, with the legalities.

How can they learn if some tried to sleep on the sidewalk last night?

Maybe some had a decent bed in a shelter, but where will those kids sleep tonight?

Look at the photo above.

Those kids are the blessed, diverse story of America!

Where will they sleep tonight?

Welcome to the cult of Trader Joe’s.

Although it began in California as a health-food store, the brand has expanded across the US and now has travelers from around the world clamoring to visit one.

It’s likely a shopper heads to Trader Joe’s to try a fun snack like pickle-flavored popcorn, pumpkin spice protein bars, beer made with cookie butter (speculoos) or cheeseburger burritos.

So how did a place to stock up on produce manage to become a global sensation? Julie Averbach, author of The Art of Trader Joe’s, has a theory.

“I think that Trader Joe’s is like the Disneyland of American grocery stores,” she says. (CNN)

It’s obvious that Trader Joe’s has carved out a valuable niche in the world of groceries!

Creating a niche is the secret to every successful business.

Reading a book and bare feet with his arm on his loyal dog.

It doesn’t get much better than that!

A book does so many things for us.

It sweeps us away into some far off land and time.

It gives us a peek into the private life of some great person we’ve always admired.

It lets us learn something from some truly learned person.

Some books are a grouping of photos of some the world’s majestic places.

Places we could only visit with wonderful photos.

There’s fiction and nonfiction. You choose.

I think it’s time you used a book to escape our world of nonsense and visit better times.

Or, maybe you should read a prayer book.

If not today, when?

In a busy world, the task of getting more movement into your daily life can often get put on the back burner.

But there’s a reason to rethink your priorities — getting as active as the top 25% of the US population could extend your life by at least five years, according to a new study published Thursday in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

“I was surprised to find that the loss of life years in the USA due to low levels of physical activity might rival the losses due to smoking and high blood pressure,” said senior study author Dr. Lennert Veerman, professor of public health in the School of Medicine and Dentistry at Griffith University in Australia, via email. (CNN)

I’m not telling you anything you haven’t heard before.

Every morning, I’m outside walking or lifting weights at Planet Fitness!

I’ve been doing this for two years and I feel great.

If not for yourself, do it for your loved ones!

If not today, when?

Almost all teens have a cell phone today.

This cell phone allows them to get information never available to previous generations.

Some information is interesting and educational.

Some is confusing and beyond what a young person should try to understand.

In effect, it’s too much information.

Many teens live in families dealing with financial and/or emotional stress.

Family stress adds to what they are already experiencing.

Also, there has always been bullying at school.

But, the bullies had usually been limited to the school environment.

Now, cell phones can be used as a weapon!

Parents, be aware of what goes on with your child’s phone.

Privacy should be overruled by safety.

South Africa’s government says it will not help about 4,000 illegal miners inside a closed mine in the country’s North West province as part of an official policy against illegal mining.

The miners in the mineshaft in Stilfontein are believed to be suffering from a lack of food, water and other basic necessities after police closed off the entrances used to transport their supplies underground.

It is part of the police’s Vala Umgodi, or “Close the Hole,” operation, which includes cutting off miners’ supplies to force them to return to the surface and be arrested.

In the last few weeks, over 1,000 miners have surfaced at various mines in North West province, with many reported to be weak, hungry and sickly after going for weeks without basic supplies. (CNN)

This is probably a good time to get away.

The election is done and warm weather destinations are not crowded.

There is something beneficial about just getting away from your normal scene even for a day or three.

Maybe just the two of you? Maybe with your children?

We used to say, “A vacation is two, a trip is more than two.”

It could be good for your family unity. On the other hand, it might be good for the two of you to spend a little time alone.

Hopefully, either way, it could be an opportunity to have some meaningful conversations or just plain FUN!

Check your computer. See what’s available. You might be surprised at the low prices before Thanksgiving.

If not today, when?

(Photo: Detroit Freepress)

It was pure mayhem after the Detroit Lions pulled out a miraculous victory over the Houston Texans 26-23.

The Lion’s quarterback, Jared Goff, had the worst game of his professional career.

He threw five “picks” and yet the team toughed it out with a come-from-behind victory.

Ahead 23-7 at the half, the Texans were held scoreless in the second half while the Lions scored 19 unanswered points.

City of Detroit residents were very happy last Sunday night.

Too bad the game was in Houston.

Ironically, the winning field goal was kicked by Jake Bates.

A rookie, he was working for a brick company last year.

He was rightfully awarded the GAME BALL!

Bravery is knowing the danger you are facing and doing it anyway.

Challenges in our personal and professional lives often require bravery.

Sometimes it requires bravery just to get up in the morning!

Leadership demands bravery.

It often takes bravery to raise a family.

It is especially true with so much uncertainty in our lives today.

I think bravery is a cumulative quality.

The more times you are brave, the more often you will be brave in the future.