(Photo from the Seattle Times of Washington Football Players after the championship game)

I had to use this photo to demonstrate what a team looks like even in defeat.

You’ll notice all of them are crying with an arm around their teammate.

Like Michigan, the Washington football team entered the game with a 14-0 record.

These young men began the championship game having only known VICTORY!

They ended the game tasting DEFEAT for the first time!

What a bitter taste it is.

I admire these young men who cling to one another for consolation.

That’s what a REAL TEAM does!

They stick together even in the agony of defeat!

Each person offers something the other lacks.

This makes the relationship feel more complete.

This hot-meets-cold dynamic can add excitement and balance to the relationship.

Hopefully, “one is the words, the other is the tune.”  (Neil Diamond)

As good as this all sounds, opposites come at issues that arise with a different perspective.

“And therein lies the rub.”

Simple advice: When you differ with your mate, BE NICE!

If not today, when? 

Do you have one or more unfulfilled dreams?

Are you committed to making your dreams happen?

Is this the year?

What is holding you back?

Is it inadequate money or health or time or age or fear?

If FEAR is the reason, you’ll celebrate the rest of your life THAT YOU DID IT ANYWAY!

If not today, when?!

Many of us try to avoid getting one because:

 ”I’m too busy.”

 ”I don’t want to know if there is something wrong with me.”

 ”I feel fine.”

Resons to get an annual physical:

It could SAVE YOUR LIFE!

You could feel fine and still have a medical condition that must be treated.

An annual physical may indicate some life changes that you should consider.

If not today, when?

The labor market’s continued strength helped fuel consumer spending and economic growth during the past 12 months.

The job market has indeed cooled down but did not derail despite 11 Fed hikes that brought the benchmark interest rate 5 percentage points higher in under two years’ time.

“We’ve lived through something quite unprecedented:

A large INCREASE IN INTEREST RATES.

A SHARP DROP IN INFLATION

WITHOUT MEANINGFUL INCREASE IN UNEMPLOYMENT.

“It’s NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.”  (Ziprecruiter)

Let’s hope 2024 is just as good!

It’s a simple solution for a common problem.

Statistics tell us that 50% of American adults suffer from too much stress.

That’s a society that is living their lives on the edge.

Concentrating on your blessings instead of your worries is a healthy way to live.

I can’t think of a better habit than focusing on your blessings, especially at bedtime.

Try it. You’ll like it!

If not today, when?

If you’re not as healthy as you’d like to be, there may be one thing you can do.

Let me suggest some ideas from which you could pick one:

PHYSICAL EXAM- Don’t begin a radical change w/o a physical exam by a qualified physician.

FOOD-This is often the culprit. Too much. Or the wrong food.                                                                      You know which ones deteriorate your health.

ALCOHOL- Too much. Wrong friends? Wrong habit?

EXERCISE- You have heard this all you life. You don’t need to become a track star.                                            Regular walking works.

PARTNER- It’s difficult to do any of these things alone.                                                                                     Choose a friend who also wants to become healthier.

Remember to choose ONE of the above!

If not today, one!

Well, here we are, back in the real world.

I hope you made the best of the holidays.

Now, it’s time to make the best of the real world.

SPOUSE: Will you make any positive changes in your relationship to your spouse?

 I think you’ll agree we can become a better spouse.

 All other relationships are affected by our spousal relationship.

CHILDREN: Raising children in today’s society is more difficult than ever.

 What improvements can you make as a parent?

SIBLINGS: Also a relationship that is sometimes neglected.

CO-WORKERS: Will your worklife be more productive this year?

These suggestions are hopefully intended to be helpful to you.

If not today, when?

I’m not talking about the old habit of New Years resolutions.

Some of those are kept, most are not.

We’re talking about substantial improvement with no compromises.

Let me go first.

I’m going to try to spend more time involved in the serious concerns of others.

This will require regular communication in person and phone conversations.

I am also going to try not to let myself to get too “down” with bad national or international news that I have little influence over.

I will concentrate more on the events in my life that I can impact.

How about you?

How will you become a better person?