Yes, on most days, a smile can lighten up someone’s day. Today, in these times of trial, a smile is absolutely priceless!

We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper. What you’ll do and say today will make a difference in the today that will be experienced by those you encounter. I love to make people laugh. …and I really don’t care if they’re laughing with me or at me. A laugh is a laugh.

Each of us, in our own way, will either lessen or increase the burden of those around us. Some people don’t have very strong coping skills. They tend to worry too much. Those are the ones who need your smile. You know who they are in your circle of influence.

Seek them out and bring them joy. Smile, darn ya, smile!

If not today, when?

Because of the huge involvement of white people in every protest I have been watching, I am quite hopeful for our nation’s future!

I have never seen such sustained commitment to the marches and it seems they attract more people every day. The horrible video of George Floyd’s death has galvanized good people throughout the U.S. and abroad in London and various other countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

It motivates us to leave political correctness behind and embrace the truth: “Right is right and wrong is wrong!”

African Americans are suffering from a long history of abuse and now deaths from the virus that greatly exceeds all other races. Adding to that will be record unemployment coming out of the pandemic.

All of these negative impacts lead to feelings of hopelessness.

“Keep hope alive!”

If not today, when?

“…as I have loved you.”

Pretty simple isn’t it? It must begin, however, with you loving yourself. For some people, that’s the hard part. Maybe you had a tough childhood or are or have been mistreated as an adult. Regardless of the cause, we love you just as you are.

…and believe me, one of the ways you can boost your self esteem is by loving other people. When you speak to another person in a kind manner, you feel good about it and it is one of the building blocks to loving yourself more.

So many millions of people are hurting right in your neighborhood, your city, the world. As the song says,

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love                                                                     no, not just for some but for everyone!”

If not today, when?

I just finished writing my ninth book. It is entitled, “The Book of Kindness” with the subtitle, “What The World Needs Now.” Stressful situations, like we’re experiencing now, do not usually lead to kind behavior. Actually, the opposite is true.

So, where do we go from here? Actually, it’s up to you and me. Our world is made better or worse by the decisions made by each person on her or his own. Yes, you do make a difference!

The words you speak and the actions you take do affect others, sometimes profoundly. I remember my wonderful mom and dad. They were married 62 years and raised a large family of five sons and one terrific daughter. In all those years, they never raised their voices to one another.

Make a difference today. Try kindness!

If not today when?

Yes, this is a moment in our nation’s history when the best in us must come out!

Each of us has a responsibility to show the right kind of presence to everyone around us. This means our family members, friends, co-workers and every stranger we meet along the way.

Our country is facing three simultaneous cataclysmic crises in the form of a pandemic, record unemployment and racial strife. Your daily response will determine the true character of America.

Prior generations faced serious challenges and still went on to create a free, prosperous, self governing nation. They showed great resilience and fortitude in their darkest hours. We must not forfeit their legacy and step back from our present calling.

Your words and actions must take us forward to a better tomorrow!

If not today, when?

All the nation’s governors had their hands full with Covid-19. Our governor, here in Michigan, had to contend with two major damns that broke open flooding the City of Midland Michigan. Also, a few days ago, protest marches against police brutality began to occupy the street of our major cities.

I cannot imagine what the days and nights are like for her. I don’t know if any governor in our nation’s history had to face three major crises simultaneously. The role we should have is one of support for the magnitude of the decisions she must make.

Like any human being, she will make mistakes and those mistakes will be held under a microscope and criticized by many. We all have to be empathetic for those who must deal with “the loneliness of command!”

If not today, when?

 

As the old saying goes, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”

Honesty? Do you tell the truth? Are you honest in all your dealings with others?

Trustworthy? Do you do what you say you’re going to do? In other words, when you promise to do something, can others trust you to follow through without the need to check up on you?

Loyal? Are you tolerant of the shortcomings of loved ones and friends? Do you stand by them and come to their assistance when they need help?

Unselfish? Are you in the habit of putting your own wants and needs ahead of the wants and needs of others?

Consistent? Do you always adhere to a certain set of unshakable values or do your value decisions depend upon changing events?

Think about it!

If not today, when?

No, this is the main attraction, the great drama itself. The older I get, the more I become intrigued pondering all the mysteries of this life of ours. One certainty you can count on is the constant turmoil of events that are always just around the corner.

So, you might as well sit back and relax because the difficulties you’re having today will be replaced by new ones tomorrow. Because life is not a rehearsal, but the final act, why don’t you do that something you’ve always dreamed of doing?

I can’t believe my 79th birthday is just a few months away. When you’re trudging along, life seems to be a long, drawn out affair. Now, in my rear view mirror, I see that life is quite short after all.

Go out and live it!

If not today, when?

During the lockdown period, people are enrolling in Artificial Intelligence classes so they will be able to compete for higher paying jobs that have an unlimited future. Although this training has been available online, enrollment has recently sky rocketed to seven times the previous enrollment numbers.

Does this fact mean that you should enroll in an AI course? Not necessarily, but it is vital that you must have marketable skills so you can compete for the quality of job openings that will enable you to afford your desired lifestyle.

Many businesses will not be able to reopen for two basic reasons: Insufficient capital and/or reduced income possibilities compared to the income prior to Covid-19. This means there will be fewer job openings.

So, my advice is to forget the past and improve your skills!

If not today, when?

Yes, even in the midst of this pandemic and other bad news that may come along, you’ll cope better by practicing gratitude. I know you may respond by saying, “What do I have to be grateful for? I’m not employed right now and my future is unpredictable.”

I know it’s hard to see the light when you’re living in darkness, but you must take control of your thoughts. If you can’t or won’t have positive thoughts, it will be very difficult to perform positive actions that can lead to positive results.

Think of the brick layer. What an awesome task it is to build a brick wall. At a glance, it seems impossible. So, the brick layer decides to work with only one brick at a time.

Practice gratitude for the positives in your life!

If not today, when?