Does the cashier at the grocery store wish you a good day? And do you wish him or her a good day in return? A common greeting by any other vendor might be, “How are you today?” You probably answer that you are fine and then the dialogue stops there. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to respond with, “How are you?”

It’s not unusual for perfect strangers to treat us better than we treat them!

The real irony is that the person wishing you well is probably working for a minimum wage that necessitates that they work at two jobs. So, if there is anyone wishing someone a good day, it should be those of us who are going to have a better day than that person who may be scrambling to hold down two jobs.

If not today, when?

We live in a world of fast changing realities. It seems that the pace of change is accelerating. The question for each of us is, “How do we maintain a satisfactory lifestyle when there are new situations that confront us constantly?” This dilemma can become more severe as we get older and perhaps less flexible.

I feel the answer lies in our personal value system. What are the priorities of your life that are most important to you and how does this change impact those priorities? You can’t get upset about everything and you can’t ignore everything. Use your personal priorities as the standard upon which you view and adapt to change.

Also remember, our lives are served up  only one day at a time and change comes one day at a time. What a blessing!

If not today, when?

 

I certainly did when I was young. Although I still get upset about things, I don’t display a temper like I did in the days of my youth.

Actually, a true temper tantrum is uncomfortable and unacceptable by anyone who is the subject of the outburst. I think that sometimes a temper is manufactured solely for the purpose of imposing someone’s will on another person.

If you have a habitual temper, get help from a professional if you seem to be unable to bring it under control yourself. You have a double obligation to control your temper if you are a parent. Children imitate the behavior of their parents. If they see you going ballistic, they will probably think that’s the way they should behave when they’re upset.

Fewer tantrums means fewer regrets!

If not today, when?

This is a big topic to address in a few words.

Most of us have a self confidence that reflects the way we were raised, especially during our very formative years. I just remember my dad always telling me, “Remember Tom, no one is better than you. They are just ordinary people who put on their pants one leg at a time.”

Does your present confidence level reflect your childhood environment or is it more impacted by the people and events you encounter now as an adult? The reason self confidence is an important issue for you to confront is because confidence affects your decision making. …and those decisions dictate the course of your life!

I believe we are most confident when we are true to ourselves and our values!

If not today, when?

Busy, busy, busy, our lives keep flying along at a dizzying pace. First, there is one obligation and then another. If you are in the child raising years, your daily life includes even more mayhem than most of us.

So, when do you, if ever, take time just to quietly think without interruptions? It shouldn’t be while driving because true “Thinking Time” can’t permit other distractions. No, it’s got to be a periodic commitment of yours to turn off the cell phone and isolate yourself somewhere alone.

“Thinking Time” can be very therapeutic and peaceful. It can also help you get back in touch with you and your priorities. Don’t get dragged along by activities that you may use to avoid stepping back and taking a good look at yourself.

Live your life deliberately!

If not today, when?

My dad was dying in the hospital at the age of 89. The doctor told mom that he would die soon. Since I was the oldest of six children, I told her I would go into his room and tell him the end was near. My siblings came with me.

After I told him, he reached out to hold our hands and said, “Well guys, what can I say?” We all responded, “You said it with your life!” It had been an exemplary one of achievement, love and loyalty.

What does your life say about you? Are you on the right path? If yes, that means you are the person you should be. If not, it’s never too late to become the person you want to be. God never gives up on any of us!

If not today, when?

 

Dad was a professor at the University of Notre Dame. Mom was a full time mom and housewife with six young children at home. She was a graduate of the University of Chicago and an accomplished classical pianist. She was also a writer and author. As intelligent and capable as she was, she accepted her role as a full time mom.

When dad arrived home each evening, dinner was on the table. Mom had put on a beautiful dress, fresh makeup and many times she was seated at her grand piano playing Beethoven or Tchaikovsky.

Dad was also a lecturer and traveled from time to time. In support of him, Mom would remind me, “They also serve who only stand and wait.”

I admired her and loved her greatly! Don’t ever forget to thank your mom!

If not today,when?

 

 

 

 

This morning, We attended a graduation ceremony from the Detroit Police Academy. One of the graduates was one of my players when I was a high school football coach in Detroit. Although he had a difficult childhood, he always had a smile on his face and was one of our best players.

Now at age 24, he has decided to serve the people of Detroit as a police officer. It grieves me terribly to think of the things he’ll see and the difficult situations he’ll have to face.

Generation after generation, young people like him step forward into harms way in order to serve the common good. I hope you sleep well tonight knowing there are people like him out there standing guard all through the night!

I say, “Thanks for your service!”

If not today, when?

I have been very, very happily married for almost 55 years. One reason is that we had several classes on marriage before we got married and were told that we should get away, just the two of us for “Date Night” once a week.

This idea really resonated with me because I’ve always thought of marriage as a continuing courtship! Being in love is a spectacular, all consuming event that should not terminate at the altar. No, like every thing important to you, keeping your love alive requires effort and your personal attention.

“Date Night” doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be anything you decide to do that gets you out of the house together.

A decision to marry is the biggest decision of our lives with the biggest consequences. If it’s that important, it deserves your constant attention!

If not today, when?

As the years go by, we mustn’t succumb to some of the common behavior found in many older people. These may include bitterness, depression, a lack of enthusiasm, callousness, a short temper and a jaded way of looking at life.

O, all of us have had difficult life experiences that can affect us negatively, but must we let them linger in our memory year after year? Or, can we try to learn lessons that can serve us well in later life and perhaps enable us to pass on a little wisdom to those coming up after us?

At my present age of 77, everyday living still provides an opportunity to learn and experience new things.There once was TV show entitled, “Life is worth living.”

I couldn’t agree more!

If not today, when?