There are an estimated 37,085 homeless veterans living in the United States. Forty percent of these homeless veterans live in places “not suitable for human habitation.”

22,740 veterans were sheltered, while 14,345 veterans were unsheltered. Most homeless veterans were without children.

Los Angeles, a city known for opulent homes and wealthy movie stars, is home to the highest count of homeless veterans by a huge margin. Nearly 8,000 veterans live on Los Angeles streets.

San Diego, the city with the second-highest number of veterans, has less than half that number.

The State of Washington is most helpful to veterans.

Let’s remember that all of these veterans were volunteers. The U.S. no longer has the draft.

How did these veterans end up like this? It had to be the result of what they experienced in combat.

Can we do better for those who put themselves in “HARM’S WAY” on our behalf?

If not today, when?

In my opinion, Winston Churchill was the greatest person who ever lived in the 20th Century!

His childhood was one of complete abandonment by both of his parents.

He grew up in a boarding school and finished his education in a military academy.

His father constantly verbally abused him by saying he would never amount to anything.

His suffering was unfortunate for him, but good for the future of the world! It steeled him for the lonely leadership of the free world from 1939 until D-Day, June 6th, 1944.

I have observed suffering in the lives of various people throughout my life.

Although unwelcome, I have concluded that it develops fortitude that can lead to great achievement as a result.

So, if you have endured suffering in your life, you have built a reservoir of courage that can enable you to lead a successful life!

If not today, when!

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

LET FREEDOM RING!!

Unlike many countries throughout the world, you happen to live in America where you can choose your leaders.

Choose them wisely because they will create the world your children and grandchildren must live in.

This year, I’ve never seen such a high percentage of false political advertising.

Our country was not built on lies, but hard won truths.

Through two world wars and the great depression, our ancestors delivered the American Dream still intact.

Now it’s up to us to preserve it for future generations.

If you don’t vote, you have lost your right to complain about the outcome of ELECTION DAY!

If the freedom bell is to keep on ringing, you must be the bell ringer by voting!

This opportunity comes along only once every four years.

The future is in your hands!

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

These are the most chaotic times that affect all people worldwide.

Everyone is a possible victim of this pandemic. It threatens the wellbeing of our children and grand children.

What is our proper approach to this threat as parents?

Young people are strongly influenced by factors we can’t control. So, what can we do?

Show our kids that we take this virus seriously by following the advice of medical professionals.

Demonstrate stability in our personal behavior.

Reassure family members that we will get through this.

Regardless of your religious or non-religious affiliation, seek the assistance of our Creator.

As a parent, we are role models and must become the port in the storm.

In these uncertain times, we are either the problem or the solution.

Choose one!

If not today, when?

Last Thursday, I thought I might have symptoms of Covid -19.

So, I dropped into an urgent care facility near me for a test.

The receptionist told me that they had already tested 89 people so far that day.

Although I had to wait three hours to be seen, I had the most wonderful experience upon meeting the Physician Assistant who was in charge.

Her name is Toni.

I was seen very late in the day and I could see that everyone on the staff was tired.

Toni, however, was totally focused on me and my symptoms. Because I had underlying conditions, she was very methodical in checking my vitals.

She exhibited compassion even though I was just another patient at the end of a long day.

I tested negative.

I have hope for the future now that I have met Toni!

Bless her and all those like her!

A first-grade teacher at a Michigan elementary school is being hailed as a hero after alerting the school principal that her online student’s grandmother was having a stroke.

Julia Koch was teaching her virtual learning class at Edgewood Elementary School on September 22 when she received a call from a grandparent who was having technical difficulties.

When Koch spoke to Cynthia Phillips, who was having trouble charging her granddaughter’s school tablet, the teacher noticed something was off in the grandmother’s voice.

“It was clear there was something very wrong. “She didn’t sound like herself.”

Koch immediately called Charlie Lovelady, the principal of the school in Muskegon Heights, who then got a staff member to call 911 while he spoke to Phillips on the phone.

“I would have died if it weren’t for the teacher being so quick and fast about getting me help,” Phillips told CNN from her hospital bed. (CNN)

Gretchen Lawson: “I have people who ask a lot about what their purpose is.

They want to know why they’re here, what they were meant to do?

Also, how do work, friendships, relationships, play into their purpose?

Gretchen’s answer: You are valuable, you matter. You matter to other people.

You have friends and family around you that care about you.

It can be really helpful, as we figure out our purpose, to seek out the needs of other people, to see outside of ourselves, and see what’s going on around us.

That can also help us to even find out what our strengths are.

We’ll learn what our passions are, what are the things that we are good at and enjoy doing.

It can be so rewarding to serve and help other people.” (thehopeline.com)

Reach out and make a positive difference with your life!

If not today, when?

Over ten years ago, my sister was diagnosed with a mental illness and although she lived a happy and healthy life for much of that time, she lost her battle with her illness on that fall morning.

In the months following my sister’s death, my eyes were opened to a whole new world of mental illness and the stigma that seemed to follow it.

I would overhear people say things about mental illness or poke fun at things associated with it and that infuriated me.

There I was, dealing with the loss of my sister and I would hear people make comments.

It broke my heart that I would hear things like that in my grieving.

There is little understanding with how one should treat their mental illness and little understanding as to what mental illness actually is. (thehopeline.com)

Remember: Kindness and compassion go hand-in-hand!

If not today, when?

“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” (Theodore Parker)

Does your life bend the arc toward justice?

Poverty is UNJUST! Does your life help relieve poverty?

Loneliness is UNJUST! Do you take time out to relieve loneliness?

Discrimination is UNJUST! Do you practice discrimination in your words or actions?

Dishonesty is UNJUST! Do you make honesty a basic foundation of who you are?

Lying is UNJUST! Do you speak the truth so that people can trust you?

Disloyalty is UNJUST! Are you loyal to other people and to your values?

You see, it’s up to us to bend the arc toward justice.

We live in a world wherein there are rampant injustices. You can bend the arc today with everything you say and do!

If not today, when?