“… Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

These are the values America offered on The Statue of Liberty to those who came ashore on Ellis Island in New York harbor beginning in 1886.

How about you? Are these the values you practice in your life?

If yes, you are making your world a better place for those less fortunate ones who live near you. If no, those multitudes who live in daily despair will realize that even in America, hope is a distant dream!

You know someone who needs help. You can make their day with a simple act of kindness.

If not today, when?

If you don’t, you will probably have a slower learning experience than if you could learn from someone you respect. Many of his or her hard earned lessons could provide you with shortcuts to avoiding those same mistakes.

I was blessed with my dad as my role model. His name was Robert.

He grew up in a small town in southern Ohio. His dad owned a hardware store aptly named Ervin Brothers Hardware. Throughout his childhood, he learned the value of hard work and how to treat fellow employees and customers.

He graduated from Notre Dame with a masters degree in Biology. He became a professor there. He was always teaching me and my siblings about life. He also taught us how to treat our spouses.

It’s never too late to learn from a role model!  Find one you admire.

If  not today, when?

 

 

 

By age two, every child needs to know what “No” means. “No” means “No” at ages eight and sixteen too.

“No, you cannot have another piece of candy!”

“No, you can’t stay up past 10 p.m!”

“No, you can’t have the car tonight!”

Children need structure in their lives. You, the parent, must provide this structure at an early age and remain consistent all through their years of growing up. Although they won’t admit it, they do feel comfortable with the realization that something that was wrong yesterday is also wrong today.  Children unconsciously depend upon their parent’s consistency. It is good that parents care enough to take the effort to enforce their beliefs.

In addition to helping your child become a responsible adult, you are also preparing them for their role as a future parent.

If not today, when?

 

We all have too many things. Something we bought ten years ago seemed like a necessary purchase, but it has possibly outlived its usefulness. Still, it continues to take up space and sometimes has to be moved from one spot to another.

Happiness doesn’t come from things, only from people. Also, if our surroundings are orderly, we can have greater peace of mind.

As the title of this blog says, if you doubt that you need an item and won’t in the future, be decisive and get rid of it. I think many of our possessions can become a burden and not a source of happiness.

If not today, when?

I believe the celebration of Mother’s Day should be honored by the tradition of families gathering together. It is the perfect opportunity to thank our moms for all the sacrifices made on our behalf! Even if you can’t get together don’t forget to write, call, text or do Facetime to acknowledge the day.

Some sporting organizations are scheduling day long tournaments for kids that prevent the family from enjoying their participation in the traditional manner. Don’t let activities such as these cause you to forget.

No one makes a bigger contribution to our lives than our mothers. If it was up to men to go through a nine month pregnancy, child birth and nursing the baby, the earth’s population would be about 150 people!

Let’s not allow Mother’s Day to slip away. Our mothers and this wonderful tradition are too precious!

If not today, when?

 

Many of us are so self-centered that we think the world revolves around us. When something happens, we ask, “How does this affect me?” Of course, we must have built in defense mechanisms to assure our safety and well being. We must, in times like these, also think of those around us.

Like anything else, however, a good thing can be taken to such an extreme that it becomes a harmful experience. For a healthy life, mentally, emotionally and physically, we have to practice moderation in our decision making. I love that old saying, “In the middle, stands the truth!”

Let’s also remember that, “In giving, we receive.” The more we reach out to help someone in need, the easier it is to live with ourselves. …And we help create a kinder, gentler society for our loved ones and friends.

If not today, when?

 

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?