I know you may be overwhelmed at the moment with one crisis or another. We have all been there.

I think, however, that we must step back from our daily hustle bustle and take a deep breath.

How do the circumstances of your life compare to the rest of humanity?

I just read that there are 114,659 homeless kids living in the City of New York.

The number of Americans living in households that lacked consistent access to adequate food soared to 49 million people last year.                                        (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)

All of us have our ups and downs. Nevertheless, I really think we must strive to put and keep our lives in perspective.

Have you ever tried counting your blessings? Take out a sheet of paper and begin listing the good things about your life.

If not today, when?

 

What perception do you have of poor people? I think it’s fair to say that most people feel uncomfortable with this topic. This may arise out of fear of people living in poverty and/or perhaps a sense of guilt that you have done very little or nothing to reach out to them.

Unfortunately, this is a very timely topic in today’s society.

Many people who enjoyed a middle class life have financially fallen out of the middle class into various levels of poverty. This is especially true of single mothers who are divorced and no longer have the family income once enjoyed as a married couple.

Another category of poor people is senior citizens who are dependent upon government assistance in order to get by.

“It is in giving that we receive.”

Will you lift someone up?

If not today, when?

After 55 years of marriage, I have a few observations.

Understand that you both bring unique life experiences to the marriage and will sometimes have very different reactions to the same event.

A successful marriage is only possible if both parties are willing to go 60% of the way to resolve differences. Going halfway (50%) assumes the other party will always go half way. Too risky!

Don’t bring up previous disagreements.

Surprise your partner with acts of kindness.

If you have children, both of you must be in agreement on the do’s and don’ts of their behavior. If not, your children will choose the parent more likely to acquiesce to their demands.

Show your children how to have a marriage filled with love.

Always show gratitude to your partner who has made a lifetime commitment to your happiness.

If not today, when?

 

 

 

 

Of course, she was the first woman I ever met.

Her name was Paula.

Both her parents were Irish immigrants. Her dad, Timothy, was a County Cork fireman who rose to battalion chief in the Chicago FD.

She was well educated with a degree from The University of Chicago. Also, an accomplished classical pianist and a prolific writer. When my father would return home in the evening from his job as a professor at Notre Dame, she would have on fresh makeup while playing Beethoven or Tchaikovsky on her grand piano.

She was my best friend growing up. I am the oldest of five boys and a girl.

My dad died in 2002. At his funeral, she told me that she was glad he died first so he wouldn’t have to live alone. She lived alone for four more years till age 92.

 

 

Do you bring joy or hurt?

Your words and actions can have lifelong effects on the well-being of others.

Are you conscious of your impact on those around you? Particularly children! Parenting is an awesome responsibility that does not diminish once your kids become adults.

No, even after they become adults, they still look to you to help them solve their problems. Now, however, most of their adult problems carry greater consequences than those of their youth.

You must always remain as their primary cheerleader and role model. If, as an example, you are not committed to your marriage, why should they be committed to theirs?

Don’t become a source of their unhappiness!!

God and you brought them into existence. Parenthood is a lifelong responsibility to be there to help them over the rough spots!

If Not Today, When?

Many people think that poor children and adults are poor because they’re lazy and should just go out and get a job. Wrong!

Forty percent of the kids in Detroit’s high schools are special needs kids. Many of them have high levels of lead in their blood caused by by the peeling lead paint in the old houses they live in.

Inner city schools don’t have the necessary resources that enable their students to successfully compete for jobs in the workplace.

Poverty becomes a cycle of despair passed down from one generation to the next. Very few break out.

What can you do?

Poor kids get two meals per day at school. They don’t look forward to Christmas because they don’t eat well during Christmas break.

Call an inner-city school and offer food before the break.

If Not Today, When?

 

 

After many years, I have come to appreciate the challenges and obstacles unique to the life of women. As a starter, their bodies, of necessity, are much more complicated than men’s. Also, regardless of the culture in which they live, women are often regarded as second class citizens. In the workplace for example, many women are paid less than men for the same tasks.

Childbirth is the great physical and emotional sacrifice she performs for the benefit of another. Of course, once the child is born, her job is not done! No, it has only just begun because usually child rearing unfairly becomes the primary responsibility of mom.

So, her life, to a great degree, is often dedicated to the well-being and needs of others before her own.

Do you show women in your life appreciation?

If Not Today, When?

I will be writing a series of blogs under the title above.

Do you add to or subtract from the happiness of others? The things we say or don’t, do or don’t, affect the happiness of others. You have many relationships in you life. Some people are close to you while others are casual relationships. Some of your relationships are voluntary on your part while others, such as employment related, are mandatory.

Let’s begin with immediate family. How do you treat those closest to you?

If your parents are still alive, how do you treat them? Regardless of how well your parents treated you growing up, I think you will do yourself a favor by treating them well throughout their lives.

If not today, when?

 

Yes, after writing 232 blogs, I thought I said all I had to say. Well not anymore!

I have three burning issues that I will begin addressing. They are:

!. Are you a PLUS or a MINUS? Do you add to or subtract from the happiness of others?

2. Are you going to IGNORE THE PLIGHT OF THE POOR FOREVER?

3. After 78 years of living, I will offer ONE MAN’S VIEW OF WOMANHOOD!

Tomorrow, I shall begin. Stay tuned!

IF NOT TODAY, WHEN?

 

Thank you for reading my 232 blogs all these many months! I love writing and these daily blogs were a source of great joy for me. You may be surprised to learn that, by far, my most popular one was, “The Rejection of Winston Churchill!”

I want to thank my wife, Nancy, who was my daily editor and personal cheer  leader! Her role as the author of many topics was invaluable.

The reason I began these many months ago was to share some of the things I’ve learned along the way. Over the years, Nancy and I have tried to make the world a better place.

I am ending it now because I have said all I have to say.

We hope in some small way you have read something that will make you life more joyful too!

If not today, when?