There are many aspects to our personality that determine what kind of person we’re making of ourselves.

Among them are: Empathy, passion, honesty, compassion, kindness and patience.

Of course, it would be ideal if we possessed all the above in large quantities.

I feel, however, without patience, we sabotage all the others.

I’m talking about patience with yourself, patience with others and patience with life.

WITH OURSELVES: No you’re not perfect and you never will be, but our gracious GOD wanted you on this planet. He has been very patient with you. Why not follow HIS example?

WITH OTHERS: The greatest detriment to a healthy relationship is a temper. And you can’t take it back once it’s out of the box.

WITH LIFE: I know you’ve had your disappointments, but I can show you people I know very well in Detroit’s inner city who have lived a life of despair from their very first breath.

Develop more patience!

If not today, when?

When classrooms were filled with students, an important benefit was that the kids had access to breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Like most schools, virtual learning is the only option since the pandemic began.

I received a call from a friend who is the athletic director of a Detroit high school last night.

During our conversation, I asked if the kids are still able to pick up meals at the school even though it’s not in session.

I was glad to hear that the schools are providing meals for the entire family of registered students.

Of course, many families don’t require this service.

But, for the ones that do, it’s literally a life saver.

All of our kids are suffering because their lives have been so disrupted.

The Detroit students are suffering for the same reasons.

At least those who need help are being fed.

I have written 11 books.

Some of them are on Amazon.

I received an email from a guy posing as a literary agent who was interested in selling one of my latest self-published books to a major publisher who had expressed an interest.

He said he only worked on a straight commission basis and would charge 15% of the proceeds if he successfully made a sale.

I thought that was a fair arrangement and in a recent phone call, I told him I was interested.

He said that there would be some expenses involved in presenting my book to a publisher.

This morning I did a Google search on his name and a website popped up called WRITERS BEWARE.

Sure enough, he had used the exact same words with me as he did with other writers.

Luckily, I didn’t give him any money.

It just seemed that his story was too good to be true.

Even at my age, I’m still amazed at people who try to earn a living defrauding others.

At the age of 15, I was asleep in my room.

It was about 5 a.m. when I was awakened by loud footsteps racing up the stairs.

Those footsteps were my Dad’s, who burst into my room and said, “Tom, we have a girl!”

Yes, after my mom had given birth to five boys, at age 39, she finally had a daughter.

I did remind Dad that he NEVER ran up the stairs to announce another boy!

My mother had a saying she used upon certain occasions. It was, “Let joy be unconfined!”

The birth of our sister was one of those occasions.

I hope you have experienced UNCONFINED JOY during the course of your life!

Rejoice!

YOU CAN’T FIGHT GRAVITY!

These four words made Amazon the success that it is according to Andy Jassy, its new CEO.

Early in the company’s development, it was only selling its own products.

According to Mr. Jassy, there was a huge, spirited debate internally about whether or not Amazon should embrace the new trend of websites springing up and selling other people’s goods.

They could see that the trend was gaining speed and they had better become a part of it.

So, as he said, the four words that made Amazon what it is today are “YOU CAN’T FIGHT GRAVITY!”

How should the Amazon experience affect your decision making?

Are you fighting a trend that will not go away?

If so, how could you prosper by admitting “YOU CAN’T FIGHT GRAVITY?”

If not today, when?

Yes, I want Tom Brady to win another Super Bowl!

Oh, you might say he’s had enough Super Bowl rings.

Well, I disagree because, at the age of 43, he is still in great physical shape and can handle the rigors of an NFL season.

And how is he able to stay in shape?

He only eats certain foods all year long.

He has a severe workout regimen.

He is very focused on his goal which is each year’s Super Bowl.

After beating Green Bay to win the NFC Championship, a Bucs player was so happy that he was crying in the locker room.

Brady yelled at him and said, “What are you crying about? We’re not done yet!”

That’s LEADERSHIP!!!!

One of our sons had a long drive to his workplace each morning.

While driving along, he always had his favorite music or sports radio station going full blast.

During one morning’s drive, he decided to turn the SOUND OFF!

And he found a new, wonderful serenity in the midst of silence.

How about you?

Is your life filled with noise?

Today’s rapidly changing events boggle the mind.

We don’t make good decisions with a boggled mind.

May I suggest that you deliberately eliminate some of the noise in your life so that you can just think?

Take the quiet time to think through your current challenges with a minimum of distractions.

You owe yourself that much.

Turn the SOUND OFF!

If not today when?

We are boaters and we keep our boat in a large harbor with hundreds of other boats.

During boating season, we love to jump on the boat and go for a ride.

The harbor has “dock boys” who help us cast off when we leave and tie up upon our return.

They tell us that we’re the busiest boat in the harbor.

We’ve noticed that most boats never go out during the entire season.

What a waste of money if the boat is never or hardly ever used!

Now, let’s talk about you.

Are you reaching your potential or do you stay in the harbor?

People who DON’T take risks end up working for those who DO!

If not today, when?

Our destiny is the ultimate result of our character.

The decisions we make throughout our lives are the ultimate expression of our character.

Actually, we make many decisions every day.

We decide what to do and what not to do.

We decide what to say and what not to say.

And all these decisions and how we implement them are the bottom line on who and what we are.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines GOOD CHARACTER as: People who have good traits such as INTEGRITY, HONESTY, COURAGE, LOYALTY and FORTITUDE.

Surely, these are personal traits we can all aspire to.

Our lives are a “work in progress.”

God will help us smooth out our rough edges if we ask!

If not today, when?

FBI Director Christopher Wray:

“Tragically, the FBI lost two of our own today.

Special Agent Daniel Alfin and Special Agent Laura Schwartzenberger were shot and killed this morning in the line of duty.

They were executing a federal court-ordered search warrant in a crimes against children investigation in Sunrise, Florida.

Three other agents were shot and wounded; two suffered injuries requiring hospital care, but both are now in stable condition. The third injured agent did not require hospitalization.
 
Every day, FBI special agents put themselves in harm’s way to keep the American people safe.

Special Agent Alfin and Special Agent Schwartzenberger exemplified heroism today in defense of their country.

The FBI will always honor their ultimate sacrifice and will be forever grateful for their bravery.

We continue to stand by our FBI Family, and the families of these special agents, in the days to come, bringing every resource we can to get through this together.”

R.I.P.