Do you make good decisions?

I ask this question because your decisions will dictate the course of your life.

It seems many people are easily influenced by misinformation today.

According to THE WASHINGTON POST, our current president has averaged 27 false statements each day during 2020.

Yet, millions of people believe him that the election was rigged.

Are you easily swayed by others?

How often do you make decisions that you are sure affects your happiness?

There is an old saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything!”

What do you stand for? Don’t abandon the beliefs you hold sacred!

Before making an important decision, ask how this decision will resonate with your beliefs?

COMMON SENSE is also another valuable decision-making tool.

COMMON SENSE is defined as sound, practical judgement.

Use your COMMON SENSE by being more aware and reflecting on situations before you make decisions!

If not today, when?

This West Point graduate is Alex Idrache.

He grew up in a slum in Haiti, and he tells the story of how U.S. soldiers were deployed to his neighborhood following the earthquake there several years ago.

He says their presence was the first experience of “hope” he recalls in his childhood.

He remembers looking at his dad and asking him who were the people that were helping.

His dad looked at him and said, “They are American soldiers.”

He looked back at his father and said, “One day, I will be an American soldier.”

Years later, they immigrated to Baltimore.

He found a National Guard program that allowed him to join the Army in exchange for citizenship. He didn’t hesitate.

He graduated with honors. From a slum in Haiti to an officer at West Point! (EveryWarrior)

You can make it if you try!

These times are most definitely a big assault on our coping skills!

And the medical people tell us the pandemic will explode over the next three months.

Because the richest 1% of the U.S. population received 25% of the federal rescue money, millions are broke and soon to be homeless.

Many small businesses won’t reopen.

So, what can you do to keep up your strength?

I’m not here to tell you to suddenly become a jogger or something.

But, you must deliberately do something to preserve your, mental, emotional & physical health.

Commit yourself to doing something YOU LIKE TO DO!

Is it walking, reading, singing, exercising, eating well & limiting alcohol, developing a hobby, practicing meditation or yoga, having a pet, getting enough sleep or visiting with supportive friends?

If you like to do it, you’ll look forward to it and you you’ll do it more consistently.

Do whatever works for you!

If not today, when?

Many people can’t bring themselves to apologize.

It’s an interesting dilemma because it involves topics like VALUES, SELF ESTEEM & RELATIONSHIPS.

VALUES Does the infraction merit an apology? The offender and the one offended may have opposite feelings about the magnitude of the offense. That’s because the values of each party are different. They, therefore, can’t agree on the need for an apology.

SELF ESTEEM Although the offender realizes an apology is necessary, his/her ego won’t permit it! It would be too humiliating and so an apology is out of the question. I guess it’s very important to protect our sense of self esteem at all costs. Too bad.

RELATIONSHIPS The offender may know that the offense needs an apology, but “I don’t care! That relationship isn’t important enough for me to lower myself.”

I personally believe in the need for apologies.

They make the world a better place!

If not today, when?

Our smiles have disappeared behind our masks. That’s most unfortunate.

So, what shall we substitute for our traditional smile?

The answer: WE MUST SMILE WITH OUR WORDS & ACTIONS!

KINDNESS can be our gift to others in our words & actions. We can say and do kind things when we encounter another person.

COMPASSION is another valuable substitute for a smile. People are hurting everywhere for every kind of reason. Sudden poverty or an empty chair at the table that will never be occupied again.

ENCOURAGEMENT is in short supply. So many millions are discouraged and don’t know what to do. This is a most dramatic moment when the “haves” must come to the rescue of the “have nots.”

EMPATHY must be practiced by all of us. Be aware of those around you and their sufferings.

So, smile with your life!

If not today, when?

Our medical professionals tell us to expect an avalanche of new Covid-19 cases.

Pressure is building on Congress to pass another “Stimulus Bill” to relieve all the suffering.

Small business owners are going out of business.

Millions are going hungry & facing eviction.

It’s time for prayer! Lord, make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy O Divine Master, grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
And it’s in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it’s in dying that we are born to Eternal Life
Amen

Because of all the discord and uncertainty these days, have your good manners slipped?

It’s understandable that we are not on our best behavior when under stress.

We can, however, make a conscious decision to treat everyone with respect.

One of the most respectful things we can say is, “Thank You.”

The healing of society begins with you and me. There is no time like the present.

The irony is that we are often more polite to strangers than to our loved ones.

You might say that your family members don’t need to hear you thank them because they know you appreciate their kindnesses.

WRONG!

Good manners with loved ones helps everyone have a better day!

And that’s what we’re here for, to love one another and appreciate every family member.

Please and thank you are the building blocks of love!

If not today, when?

Or 1/2 empty?

Another way of asking the question is: “Are you an optimist or a pessimist?”

The irony is that both personalities can be successful.

Another irony is that both personality types can be a worry to loved ones.

IMPACT OF THE OPTIMIST Because the optimist always believes things will turn out well, he/she may get too caught up in all the positive thinking that hidden obstacles may go unnoticed.

Loved ones, who know of the positive approach to everything, feel an obligation to try to point out obstacles not being given their proper consideration.

IMPACT OF THE PESSIMIST This personality takes the opposite approach to opportunities. He/she takes a good, hard look at why things could go wrong.

This is not such a bad way of looking at it as long as a good opportunity is not discarded without considering its true potential.

Which are you?

Well, do you?

Think about it.

You might respond to my question by answering: “He/She knows how I feel!”

Oh really.

Our lives are broken up into nice little chapters we call “days.”

Every day is different from every other day.

So, someone, who didn’t need a compliment yesterday, sure needs one today.

Self-doubt is common with all of us in varying degrees.

We have good days and bad days and so do the ones we love!

A sincere compliment is a great gift to one another if it is sincere.

Don’t be a phony by going through the motions of a compliment.

That will do more harm than good.

In times like these, with health and financial threats rampant, lift someone up with a well-deserved compliment!

If not today, when?

Yes, these are stressful times.

For millions of Americans without a source of income, it means facing eviction with no way forward.

Also, more people are visiting food banks than ever before in our history.

So, stress abounds!

Stress, of course, causes anxiety and this anxiety can cause us to lose our temper which brings about more anxiety to others.

We have a very severe situation of haves and have nots which is stirred up by hopelessness.

Two words come to mind: KINDNESS & CHARITY!

We need lots of both. Be a part of the solution.

Who can you lift up today?

There are so many highly focused charities who are ready to cure the hurting millions.

Google the word, “charities” and send money today.

That’s the best way to celebrate Thanksgiving!

If not today, when?