It is one of the few truly satisfying opportunities of our lives!

Unfortunately, however, many us would rather carry our fears than experience the ultimate triumph over them.

In 1962, I was a senior in college while the Vietnam War was raging.

Because I was a full time student, I was exempt from being drafted into our military until my graduation in May of 1963.

I volunteered to join the U.S. Navy with active duty beginning in August of that year.

I had been fearful of the possibility of going to war, but am glad that I faced my fear.

My years with the Navy were most gratifying and a tremendous learning experience.

How about you?

Are you carrying a fear or fears that have become a burden?

Consider setting yourself free! You are the only one who can do it!

If not today, when?

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life.

“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One is EVIL – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

“The other is GOOD – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

“The one you feed.”

(virtuesforlife.com)

An Austrian man who died in December has left an undisclosed fortune to the French village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. (Pictured above)

He did this to thank the residents for hiding his family from the Nazis during World War II.

Erich Schwam was a Jewish refugee who arrived in the village with his mother and father in 1943.

He bequeathed a sum thought to be at least a few hundred thousand euro to the commune in south-central France, according to the notary in charge of his will. (CNN)

It is a great feeling to be able to give back!

Actually, it feels good to both the giver and the receiver.

So, it’s a win-win.

How about you?

Is there someone or some cause you’d like to repay for a former kindness?

If so, hopefully it’s not too late to find them and reciprocate with your own act of kindness.

If not today, when?

These times are challenging for us adults.

The lives of our kids, however, have been turned completely upside down!

All the normal routines of their daily lives have been interrupted for a year.

I think the younger kids live in the present moment.

Your teens begin to worry about their future particularly in times like these.

I don’t know how to advise you on the best parental approach.

But, I do believe one thing is essential!

You must prove to them that you are a very willing LISTENER!

They won’t talk if they think you’re too preoccupied to LISTEN to their problems or unbiased in your opinions.

Spencer Smith, pictured above, was a very happy football player at his high school until he learned that football season was being cancelled by the pandemic.

He also wasn’t doing well with distance learning.

Spencer just ended his life at the age of 16 years.

You must get your kids talking!

If not today, when?

These rapidly changing times call for a certain degree of flexibility.

It seems that we are seeing, hearing and experiencing new realities daily.

Hopefully, some of these new experiences are fun and gratifying.

Others, however, are worrisome.

So, in order to take good care of ourselves, we must develop coping skills that work for us.

I’m not saying that we must sacrifice our values.

But, we can’t be unwilling to face a constantly changing reality with some flexibility.

This is really a discussion of protecting your mental health.

We are all experiencing the trauma of Covid-19 and the recent political turmoil.

How well have you come through all of this so far?

And how about your loved ones? How are they doing?

We must try not to allow external trauma to affect us internally.

Practice flexibility!

If not today, when?

What ever happened to the motivating force called “character”?

Do you remember the old saying, “Doing the right thing is the right thing to do?”

I guess the U.S. Senate will give Trump a pass for attempting to convert America into a dictatorship by violent means.

How about the employees who steal from their employer or don’t give a honest effort?

How about the habit of lying?

How about one spouse cheating on the other?

How about going along with the crowd when you know it’s wrong?

How about looking the other way when someone is in need?

Aren’t we supposed to hold ourselves to a higher standard?

I’m thinking of certain values that are not negotiable like:

PATRIOTISM–LOYALTY–HONESTY–COMPASSION

If not today, when?

I heard an old song on the car radio this morning.

It was recorded in the 1950’s and was titled, “I love you for sentimental reasons.”

What are the sentimental reasons you love your spouse?

Is it the great joy of greeting your firstborn child?

Is it the countless little kindnesses along the way?

Is it the loving care you received during a medical emergency?

Is it the times you worked shoulder to shoulder during a financial crisis.

Is it the emotional support after the death of your parents?

Is it your partner’s constant loyalty through the ups and downs?

Is it the willingness to admit making a mistake?

Is it the willingness to forgive?

Is it the willingness to respect your privacy?

Is it the willingness to love you unconditionally?

Do you believe in love at 1st sight?

Or, is it just physical attraction at 1st sight?

Or can physical attraction serve as the catalyst to give real love a chance?

And as we get older and are not as physically attractive as in our youth, can love still survive?

My answer is YES to all the above!

I happen to believe in love at 1st sight.

I also believe that love at 1st sight can mature into the purest form of love which is unconditional love!

Most parents love their children with unconditional love.

It comes naturally because your kids are “flesh of your flesh.”

Love at 1st sight is not a natural phenomenon.

No, it is a never-to-be-forgotten emotional awakening like none other.

It’s rare, but oh so wonderful!

Let us always celebrate that rare LIGHTNING STROKE we call love at 1st sight!

If not today, when?

Oh yes, you are becoming more today than ever before!

…And the reason is that you learned one more thing yesterday that is making you wiser with more potential than ever before.

Every day, we experience something new we can put to good use down the road.

Those who grow more rapidly than most are those who are better listeners and observers of the passing scene.

Our lives never stand still because we are constantly taking in new experiences that, combined with prior experiences, give us a new perspective.

New perspectives enable us to improve our ability to make better decisions than in our earlier years.

So, listen and observe the decisions of those who succeed and those who fail.

There is something to be learned from each.

If not today, when?

I walked into a restaurant and the greeter said, “How are you today young man?”

Whenever somebody refers to me as “young man,” I know I look old.

That’s OK because I’m just grateful to be alive and able.

Many people fear growing old.

I have never felt that way because I am very much aware of my blessings.

Oh, there are days I don’t have the energy I’d like to have.

…And there are some new aches and pains.

With the aches and pains, however, comes wisdom.

With wisdom comes perspective on what is truly important.

Love of the LESS FORTUNATE is truly important!

I don’t know what your age is, but I know you have your own set of worries.

Life at any age isn’t easy, but it is a gift for which I continue to be most GRATEFUL!

Be grateful for your life!

If not today, when?