It’s easy to say, but very difficult to do. With the speed of modern life and exposure to entirely too much information, our minds and emotions are spread pretty thin.

Yet, NOW is all we have and all we’ll ever have. I like to reminisce about events in the past. At the age of 77, I have a lot of material available to me.

If you are approaching a situation similar to one you’ve faced before, it could be helpful to recall the prior incident and the lessons learned. Try to apply the knowledge gained so as to assure a better outcome.

Don’t become distracted, however, by your yesterdays or tomorrows.

Live in the NOW! Bring more of yourself to each moment! 

If not today, when?

Thanks to our daughter, Lynn, I offer some family rules:

Keep your promises.

Share.

Think of others before yourself.

Say, “I love you.”

Listen to your parents.

Do your best.

Say, “please and thank you.”

Tell the truth

Laugh at yourself.

Hug often.

Use Kind words.

Love one another.

If not today, when?

Most of us observe the special days that are routine in our society including birthdays, anniversaries, national and religious holidays. Because we are expected to remember loved ones and friends on those days, I don’t think they are appreciated as much as something spontaneous.

An act of kindness given on an otherwise “ordinary day” could be much more exciting and memorable. When you are asked why you chose this day, a great response could be,”Because I don’t just think of you on the holidays, but everyday!”

I recently used the services of a company. I was very pleased with the way its employees treated me. So, I sent an email to its owner explaining that I was impressed with the quality of service. The owner was very grateful and said she usually only gets complaints.

If not today, when?

 

The title of today’s blog is from Walt Disney. I guess he made his point with Disney theme parks around the world. And, look at Steve Jobs tinkering in his garage.

I know it’s hard for us to think that these extreme examples of success are people we could identify with. Yet, they are just ordinary people who had two things: A dream and the self discipline to pursue that dream.

If you have a dream of something you want to be or want to do, don’t you dare allow the naysayers to “rain on your parade!” I began eight businesses in my life and I had my share of doubters and critics. But, I had great fun and would do it all again.

Go for it, you dreamer you!

If not today, when?

I know two people who swam from Alcatraz Island to shore more than once. Alcatraz is an abandoned prison in San Francisco Bay. The waters are very cold and choppy. There is a strong current. Because it is salt water, there are sharks.

Where do some people get  that kind of courage? Are you as courageous as you want to be? Most of us have various kinds of fear. It’s not a bad thing to have a healthy sense of fear that keeps you from danger.

There are probably some fears that are not healthy and are preventing you from living the life you want. Reach for that life! Confront and overcome those fears!

It is just a matter of willpower!

If not today, when?

This can be a very defining moment in your life and in the life of your children.

Will your kids feel they just got a “get out of jail free card?” Or, will they approach this journey into adulthood with a good relationship with you?

There are three basic issues:

MICROMANAGEMENT-If you have raised them in a strict manner with little freedom allowed, they probably resent it and want to “bust loose” once they’re gone.

LEADER/FOLLOWER-If your kids have strong leadership traits, they will be less vulnerable to those who would lead them astray.

SELF CONFIDENCE-Self confident people are more inclined to make their own decisions rather than submit to the bad behavior of others.

Lastly, tell them you love them and you are always here for them!

If not today, when?

Poorly parented kids are everywhere today. This puts a greater burden on you if you’re trying to raise a family of people who live by a good value system. They also have so much freedom and access to social media that undermine your values.

So, what can you do to earn your kids’ respect in this environment on their perilous journey to adulthood? The most important rule is, “Don’t be a hypocrite!” You must set the right example by practicing what you preach.

Listen to them. You’ll never get them to listen to you if you don’t listen to them.

Have rules of your house that everyone must follow.

Give praise for praiseworthy efforts and apply discipline when justified. Discipline, however, must be in proportion to the offense.

Always practice unconditional love!

If not today, when?

I don’t pretend to be an expert on marriage, if there is such a person. But, I have been happily married for 54 years and I can’t wait to see my wife’s face each morning! So, we must have learned something along the way.

Here are my rules:

Never cheat on your spouse.                                                                                                        Be honest.                                                                                                                                         Express your love in different ways such as helping with chores.                         Always let your spouse know he or she is the most important person in your life.         If you have offended your spouse, give a sincere apology quickly. Don’t linger.            Allow your spouse private moments.                                                                                        Find things to do that you both enjoy. Create fun times.                                                    Be quick to forgive.                                                                                                                        Talk things out. Don’t give your spouse “The Silent Treatment.”                                          Do a lot of kissing, hugging and loving regardless of your ages!

If not today, when?

PARENTAL LOVE: This kind of love is not mere affection for your child. No, Parental Love is an all encompassing effort which includes leadership as its very unique quality. To be even more direct, you can’t allow the inmates to run the asylum! Children need guidance and if they don’t get it from you, the world provides many other sources to them.

STRUCTURE: You must have rules that you and your children live by. These guidelines will help your children become responsible members of society.  Rules of behavior must be enforced with consequences. The consequences include praise for following the rules and some appropriate form of discipline for breaking them.

Throughout your children’s lives, they need Parental Love and Structure.

If not today, when?

 

 

The old days of dad going off to work while mom stayed home to raise the kids, shop for groceries, prepare the meals, clean the house, chauffeur the kids, schedule doctor appointments, wash the clothes, etc. are gone!

If your family is fortunate enough to have both spouses raising your children together, it is important that both parents are “all in!” Separation of responsibilities is really not practical anymore considering our pace of living. Also, in order to maintain your financial needs, both of you are probably employed.

Dads have to pitch in wherever needed to keep the family moving in the right direction! It is unfair for one spouse to do 75% of the work!

Forget the old stereotypes. It’s a new ballgame!

If not today, when?