Are you the beneficiary of or the victim of your childhood?

It’s usually one or the other. …And, in most cases, your early years were formed by the adults in your life. Of course, you picked up or were put off by his, her or their approach to parenting.

The interesting result of childhood is that people react differently to identical experiences while growing up. I know people who had horrific treatment at the hands of their parents. As adults, they are some of the best people and parents I’ve seen. While others follow in their parents footsteps, unfortunately.

If you are the product of a loving family, I hope you live the same love in your present life. Whichever experience you had, you are your own person now.

Live every day!

If not today, when?

“To lose patience is to lose the battle!” (Mahatma Gandhi)

Now, there was a man who had every right to lose his patience throughout his adult life. In his efforts to free India from British rule, he was imprisoned numerous times.

How about you? What is your story?

Do you lose your temper from time to time and is it always justified? Sometimes a little temper tantrum, either real or contrived, can help you persuade someone to do the right thing.

If, however, you lose patience because of some of the circumstances of your life, there are really only two alternatives:

1. If you are able, make the necessary decisions to improve your situation.
2. If unable, please put your life in perspective. Hundreds of millions of people throughout the world will not have enough to eat today!

If not today, when?

…is not worth living! (Socrates)

Do you agree? Should we look within ourselves from time to time to ask the following questions:

Do I like myself and if not, why not?

Do I have love for others and to what degree?

Am I pleased with my life decisions thus far and if not, what has to change?

Do I have a “Bucket List” and if not, why not?

Am I growing in knowledge and wisdom or just existing from day to day?

Do I have the courage I need to make the decisions I need to make?

Do I live by others’ expectations or my own?

Am I ignoring my health and what do I have to do in order to become healthy?

Do I have faith in God and if not, why not?

If not today, when?

 

Easy to say, but hard to do.

You’ve always got issues coming at you. So, how do you deal with the complications in your daily life? I think it always comes down to a matter of priorities.

Do you have issues that are more important to you than others or do you treat everything with equal value? If so, you can’t continue to do that without feeling frustrated if you can’t complete every task by day’s end.

No, prioritization is the answer. It enables you to address items that are most important to you while, perhaps, ending the day with lessor things undone.

My priorities are my marriage, my family, my health, my financial condition, my friends and those in need.

If you have identified your priorities, you have simplified your life!

If not today, when?

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game!” (Babe Ruth)

I guess that applies to life also..

Is your glass half empty or half full? That’s an important question for each of us. How do you deal with challenges? What is your habitual history of dealing with stress and disappointment?

Yes, your past is a great learning tool, but it should not control your future. Why not bring the best you have to each day?

Babe Ruth’s batting average was .342 throughout his entire career. Just think of that. He was idolized for being a failure two out of every three times he went to bat.

I think your average of success is probably around .700 at least. Swing for the fences. You only get so many at bats!

If not today, when?

 

Oh no, it’s not too late!

Yes, you can remake yourself into the person you’ve always wanted to be.

Until now, perhaps you have made some bad decisions that are now bad habits. These bad habits impact the person you have to live with and the person you project to others. Don’t let them continue to dictate the course of your life!

Also, unfortunate previous events can affect your future actions. If that’s true in your case, try to learn from those experiences and move on.

It’s all a matter of willpower. If you really want to improve who and what you are, go for it! You are the master of your own happiness or unhappiness.

Examine the things you’d like to change. Choose the easiest one and it’ll give you the confidence to keep going!

If not today, when?

Opra Winfrey says we should turn our wounds into wisdom.

Once you’ve been hurt by someone you loved, can you love again? Like everything else, it’s a decision.

At the age of 78 years now, I’ve been through all the stages of life. I’ve learned that each stage comes complete with its own unique joys and sorrows. Wisdom gained along the way enables us to rejoice in the joys and persevere through the sorrows.

My dad had his favorite philosophy which was, “In the middle stands the truth!” He thought we shouldn’t get too high with the highs nor too low with the lows. For many people, their suffering arouses in them resolve to have a better life.

Opra is one of those people. Her life is a genuine “rags to riches” story.

Turn your wounds into wisdom!

If not today, when?

That’s your choice in every decision you’ll make the rest of your life!

..And I don’t think it’s an either/or for how you conduct your whole life. It must depend upon the particular circumstance. Sometimes you should play it close to the belt. Other times, you should step out into the unknown because the potential rewards justify it.

The biggest risk I ever took was when I joined the Navy during the Vietnam War. Looking back on it now, it was a great decision because, as a twenty two year old, it helped me grow up.

You will be confronted with decisions as long as you live. The quality of those decisions will determine your overall happiness or unhappiness. Of course, events occur beyond your control. Even in those situations, however, you can decide how to respond!

If not today, when?

We just celebrated the 76th anniversary of the landing of our troops on the Normandy beaches on June 6, 1944. Those 12,000 American men and boys who died on Omaha Beach that day were fighting for freedom.

We are all the children or grandchildren of immigrants who risked everything to live free of tyranny in America. My grandmother and her two sisters came on the same boat. One of them died in her arms during the crossing.

The glue of America is what everyone came here for: To live free!

It has been referred to as, “The American Experiment” and “The Workshop of Democracy.” Those who came from Africa, however, came against their will. For “The American Experiment” to endure, it must be applied to all its citizens.

May she always lift her lamp “beside the golden door!”

If not today, when?

I think doing good is the determinant of our value in the world!

People use a variety of measurements such as wealth, fame and power. These, however, are self serving traits that show an emphasis on ourselves. Doing good is just the opposite. It is an emphasis on the well being of others.

Looking out for ourselves and our priorities is a natural habit. Looking out for others comes secondarily if at all. Have you ever noticed that most people like to talk about themselves and their life without ever asking about your life?

“Do gooders” balance their lives by looking out for themselves and others. It can be a difficult balancing act, but very worthwhile.

Are you willing to do good for others as well as yourself?

If not today, when?