Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called it “sheer evil!”

Numerous gunmen dressed as police officers attacked a maternity hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan yesterday. Twelve mothers and two newborn babies were among the dead.

One of the mothers, who lives in a remote village, had been waiting seven years to become pregnant. Her husband brought her to this hospital because of its expertise in delivering newborns.

Although she survived the massacre, her baby did not!

After the nine month pregnancy, she had him for one hour. The child is being returned to its hometown for burial.

I never cease to be amazed at the depths of cruelty the human race can create for the suffering of others who are often complete strangers.

To atone for this outrage, let’s all reach out in kindness to someone!

If not today, when?

People who don’t know someone still waves to that person.

I’m seeing it happen more frequently. It is a phenomenon I’ve never experienced before in my 78 years of life. Well, the reason is very obvious. For the first time in the history of humans, we all share something in common.

We all have the threat of dying soon brought about by the same cause, Covid 19.

Yes, this terrible disease is bringing us closer together than any other event in history. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that our black and brown brothers and sisters are dying at an alarming rate that far surpasses their percentage of the population. One of the reasons is that many of them are forced to go to work and serve customers who transmit the virus to them.

Pray for them!

If not today, when?

 

Many years ago, our church sponsored a large family escaping the horrors of the Cambodian War. While running through the killing fields on their way to Laos, one of their family members was killed.

Upon arriving in Detroit, they did not speak English and were completely disoriented with their new society. One of the church members gave the father of the family a job in a machine shop. He rode a bicycle to and from work even in the snow and rain.

After saving their money, they bought a donuts shop. Again, they saved enough money to buy a donuts shop in Los Angeles where it was a warmer climate. All their children obtained masters degrees from USC.

They are now quite wealthy and contributing members of society.

Our grandparents were immigrants. Salute those who built America!

If not today, when?

Well, we were sitting in the family room one day last week with my wife and our dog “Happy” on one coach and I was seated on the other coach.

When out of the blue, she said, “I feel like hugging you!” I was was very touched by her spontaneous remark after 56 years of marriage. So, I replied, “Gee, that’s nice.”

And she responded, “I meant the dog!”

As you can see, life goes on. Have a good day  and I hope someone feels like hugging you or your dog!

If not today, when?

 

 

 

 

Well, we were sitting in the family room one day last week with my wife and our dog “Happy” on one coach and I was seated on the other coach.

When out of the blue, she said, “I feel like hugging you!” I was was very touched by her spontaneous remark after 56 years of marriage. So, I replied, “Gee, that’s nice.”

And she responded, “I meant the dog!”

As you can see, life goes on. Have a good day  and I hope someone feels like hugging you or your dog!

If not today, when?

A recent study of Detroit students, K-12, showed that 90% of them do not have access to internet connected devices.

An organization called Connected Futures will provide all 51,000 students with connected devices, household internet and technical support by June. Those students and their family members will have internet access and much better learning opportunities.

I spent three years in a Detroit high school in the years 2010-2012. At that time, none of the students had textbooks of their own. They had to pull their desks together and use one textbook for two students. Those books remained in the classroom.

In addition to all the struggles of living in Detroit, the kids were getting an inferior education when compared to their suburban peer group.

It appears that a small part of the unfairness of their lives is being corrected!

If not today, when?

Which of them must change temporarily or permanently?

Medical experts are saying that this pandemic will be here for three years. So, which of your previous habits are in need of alteration or elimination?

Maybe, you know just a little about the digital world and have been able to get by with email and texting. That will have to change.

Many employees are doing their office work from home because of the virus. Employers will move as many tasks as possible to the digital world and you must have the expertise to perform those tasks.

Use this time to become more computer literate. Take online classes or hire a tutor. Do something to make your skills more valuable in order to compete for jobs!

Forget your old habits if they will leave you unprepared for the future.

If not today, when?

What a great plan it is!

Yesterday, either good or bad, won’t come again. Tomorrow never comes because at the stroke of midnight, it’s today again. So, you see, all you’ll ever have is today.

…and I think that living one day at a time is doable. No need to be overwhelmed by current events because our lives are served up in bite sized pieces we refer to as today.

Even in these times with”Shelter in place,” each of us should make today one in which we achieve at least one worthwhile accomplishment. Those people who say they’re bored are not taking control of their lives.

Make today count. The very best way to do that is to reach out to someone with kindness. You’ll make your life better today by making another life better!

If not today, when?

 

You probably think I’m crazy asking a question like that when our entire world is filled with negativity on every front.

Yet, you are the guardian of your thoughts!

If you allow yourself to believe all hope for a bright future is gone, then you will be living every day without all the strength you need to make the most of your potential.

…and if you want life to return to the way it was, it sure wasn’t perfect. Because we’re all suffering together for the same reasons, we are growing closer to family, friends and, yes, even strangers.

Another thing to keep in mind, you and I will be unable to rebuild our society if we are pessimistic and self centered. No, everyone needs hope and that hope comes only from those who are optimistic!

If not today, when?

Strength of character is greatly enhanced by living through adverse circumstances.

I have a friend who is now 26 years old and was one of the players on a high school football team I coached. Since his high school years, he has continually fallen on hard times.

He worked for a landscaping company and had a friend who worked with him. After he cashed his paycheck one day, his friend shot him, removing his left eyebrow and took his cash.

He has been homeless and has had various jobs off and on. Yet, I received a text from him yesterday. He was very happy that he had been approved for unemployment compensation.

You are also facing adversity with this virus and its consequences. You are making necessary adjustments to your daily life and becoming stronger!

If not today, when?