Oh, yes you can!

Andrea Bocelli grew up blind and became a world famous Italian Opera singer. He has sold 80 million records and entertained popes and heads of state everywhere. He faced unimaginable hardships all along the way, but his dreams of becoming a great tenor drove him to its realization.

If he can reach his potential, how about you?

You only live once. Success or failure is a conscious thought that begins in your mind and then translates itself into action or the lack thereof.

It doesn’t matter what others may think of you and your dreams. If you want to do something that’s very important to you, consider giving it your best shot!

You’ll figure it out as you go along. If your commitment is genuine, you’ll surprise yourself at how gifted you really are!

If not today, when?

As our society seems to have forgotten its manners, so to is the environment in all too many companies today. Bullying, unwanted sexual advances and strong competitive stances combine to make employees dread walking in the door each morning.

Even though both men and women are the targets of bad behavior by co-workers, women usually receive the brunt of it. This so unfairly creates stress that is added to the stress created by the job itself. In these times, with so much chaos and uncertainty, the last thing we need is harassment at work.

Everyone needs to earn a living and to spend eight or more hours in the presence of others. Don’t be the trouble maker. There is already enough trouble to go around without creating more of it.

If not today, when?

 

 

Yes, the neighbor at the end of our street plants 1,000 tulips throughout her yard every year. So, each springtime we have the pure joy of watching their progress as they emerge from the winter soil into the warm sunlight of yet another joyous Spring!

This is my 78th spring and having endured another Michigan winter and the pandemic upon us, I appreciate those tulips more than ever before!

…and that’s the way life goes with its many ups and downs.

I think the lesson for all of us is to celebrate the ups regardless of how small they may be at times. After all, this life of ours is a free gift bestowed upon us by God and the love of our parents.

Take the time today to look for some wonderful sign of spring!

If not today, when?

It’s always THE choice that we make all through our lives. Shall I face up to this or that challenge or shall I shrink from it and install it in my memory as one of those times I let myself down.

All of us are fearful of Covid 19. Each time we enter a store, we could become vulnerable to catching it.

Fear is a necessary precursor of courage because you aren’t courageous if you’re not overcoming fear. Cowardice, however, is the act of succumbing to fear.

It sounds like a simple theory, but I believe if you have been courageous, you will continue to be. On the contrary, cowardice could well lead to more cowardice.

It’s time to choose courage. Make a habit of it!

If not today, when?

A friend of mine lives in South Florida and was shopping in a Publix grocery store yesterday. While the checkout person was processing his order, he thanked her for coming into work every day so that he could continue to fulfill his food needs during this pandemic.

The clerk, who appeared to be in her sixties  was so shocked by his kind “thank you” that she immediately thanked him in return. She went on to tell him that some of the customers are nice and others are very grumpy.

She also said that he was the first person who ever thanked her for putting herself in harms way. She went on to thank him numerous times before he left.

Look at the power of that little gesture of appreciation.

Make your world a better place!

If not today, when?

We are imperfect and our friends and those we love also have imperfections. When we have to stay at home and live with imperfect people day in and day out, does it become a challenge? Of course it does!

These circumstances, however, provide us with the opportunity to love each other even more deeply than ever before. We now have the time to set the cell phones aside and talk face to face. What a gift this time is to catch up with our spouse, children, parents and perhaps grand parents.

What is each family member feeling right now? What is their level of anxiety about the unknown future ahead of us all? If you are an adult, it’s the time for your leadership.

Take this time to know and love each family member more deeply!

If not today, when?

“Whatever you do for the least of your brothers and sisters, you do unto me!” (Jesus)

Yes, it’s time to think of those who have no savings and no income. Put yourself in their place. It’s not as simple as telling them to go out and get a job. That is not a viable path right now and possibly not for the next couple of months.

They still have to eat!

Do you know of just one person who is in this situation? Perhaps, it was a waiter or waitress at your favorite restaurant or a cleaning lady who worked in your home.

Contact that person you know and offer a helping hand. The time has arrived to come to the rescue of those who cannot rescue themselves.

Surely, you can do something!

If not today, when?

 

 

“Patience is a key element of success!” (Bill Gates, Microsoft Founder)

If you’ve been a little short on patience in the past, this is an excellent moment to do something about it. Many millions of our fellow citizens are very stressed out about the present status of their lives.

Each of us must practice self control so that we can set an example for others. This applies most importantly to the behavior we should show to loved ones. Your teenagers, in particular, have always wanted to be independent of parental authority. Now, however, their world has been turned upside down and they are looking to you for leadership.

Our governor is thinking of extending the self isolation program for another 70 days. So, the need for patience will become more necessary as the weeks and months go by!

If not today, when?

 

Everyday, we hear of fellow citizens putting themselves in harms way for the well being of all of us. Of course, health care workers and first responders are the most obvious.

How about all those long haul truck drivers who leave their families for weeks at a time to provide us with food, medicines and other things we need? All night workers in grocery stores are replenishing the shelves so the stores can reopen each morning.

The meat packers, poultry farms and bakeries are staffed with people working in close proximity to each other. Yet, without their everyday courage to produce and deliver the food on our tables, what would we do?

A definition: A hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities.

Be sure to thank your heroes!

If not today, when?

There was a saying that I heard years ago. “We’re a drop of intellect in a sea of emotion!” Is that true about you?

Do you allow your feelings to control your actions and decisions? I think we all do that from time-to-time, but the present chaotic state of our world demands more thought  than emotion.

Because we really don’t know what our society will look like when this virus is behind us, we must think about possible scenarios. As we consider each scenario, we must also decide on our fall back plan if this or that should occur.

If you are presently laid off from your job, as an example, you must think about other potential job opportunities should your current employer become unable to bring you back on the payroll.

Think outside the box!

If not today, when?