It’s an old cliche’, but something we should think about more than we do. Oh yes, we can always come up with the negative things going on in our lives. We should also even the scale from time to time by considering what’s right with what’s wrong.

This discussion leads to the larger issue of SELF MANAGEMENT. Do you manage your thoughts and actions or do you allow other people and events do it for you? You have more control over your personal happiness than you may realize.

You are not a victim!

Like all the rest of us, you have assets and liabilities. Don”t forfeit your sense of well being to today’s momentary crisis. You must develop the habit of counting your blessings as well as you can quickly enumerate what’s wrong with your life!

If not today, when?

 

Prayer Of St. Francis:

” Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love, Where there is injury-pardon, Where there is doubt-faith, Where there is despair-hope, Where there is darkness-light, Where there is sadness-joy,

O divine master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love, For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life!”

I love this prayer because it beckons us to a higher calling!

If not today, when?

 

 

We all have them. Most are narrow and confined to family and friends. Some are broad and embrace total strangers who are in need.

This is probably an uncomfortable topic for many people. It shouldn’t, however, be solely a philosophical topic. It should be all about action. Have you, do you, will you convert your empathy into actions?

There are always people hurting. For some, it is a lifetime of hurt brought on by permanent poverty or a lifelong disease or both. For others, it is a temporary illness or some other misfortune.

You see, I just don’t believe empathy is enough if it isn’t converted into action! Without action, it is just empty words such as, “Isn’t that a shame.”

As individuals and as a society, we must do better than that!

If not today, when?

The fun part is getting the kids started. The hard part is raising this child you and God created. Unfortunately, they don’t come with a guide book!

We raised a large family and here are a few lessons we’ve learned: In the beginning… touching your baby, smiling, singing and talking are vital. Good nutrition guided by your pediatrician is critical. Consistent daily routine including naps are a requirement.

Crying is just one way a baby communicates. You must learn to differentiate a cry coming from discomfort or from a temper. Your child needs stimulation by being moved around the house and different positions. Babies need safe things to chew on while they’re teething and a pacifier is often helpful.

If you use daycare, do your research and drop in unexpectedly from time to time.

If not today, when?

 

Yesterday doesn’t exist unless you want to resurrect it each day. By the way, tomorrow doesn’t exist either unless you’re a fortune teller.

No, all you’ve got is now!

You can carry your bad yesterdays around with you, but that’s going to cause you to feel the pain over and over again. Or, you can carry your good yesterdays that make you feel good, but can also serve as a reminder that your present situation is worse than previous ones.

Anticipating your tomorrows is a waste of time because we can’t see the future and future events usually don’t turn out exactly as we thought they would.

You can’t change the past and you can’t foretell the future, but you can completely control what you do in the now. 

Live with passion in the now!

If not today, when?

When Winston Churchill was 19, he was not a good student and was sent into the British Army as a cavalryman. He immediately received a letter from his father with the following excerpts:

“..You are one of hundreds of public school failures, and you will degenerate into a shabby, unhappy, futile existence.” And yet, he rose from such hurtful condemnation to lead the free world to victory over Nazism in WWII.

Did you have a difficult childhood with poor parenting and little or no encouragement? If so, remember the rejection he endured from his family in his formative years.

You are God’s gift to the world!

You can do anything you really want to do! Don’t allow anything or anyone, present or in your past life, prevent you from becoming the incredible person inside of you!

If not today, when?

Every relationship blossoms and matures with that magic ingredient called trust!

This is true of the most intimate life shared by spouses and the trust that can grow between parents and their children. Advancement up the corporate ladder is granted when senior management is convinced that it will not be embarrassed by the actions of a newly promoted employee.

A trusting relationship, if it is to last, must be based on honesty. Sometimes, complete candor is not always appreciated by the other person, but it is much more genuine than this thing we call “political correctness.” Trust is not easily earned. It takes a while.

You can’t say one thing and then do the opposite! You must be honest in word and deed. A trusting relationship is a beautiful thing and well worth the pursuit!

If not today, when?

 

 

You may have more control over your ability to make more money and advance in your company than you might think.

Put yourself in the position of your boss. Who is the ideal employee in his or her mind? Here is the checklist:

Nice appearance                                                                                              On time                                                                                                              Courteous to fellow employees and customers                                      Team player                                                                                            Extra effort above what is expected

What if the problem is your terrible boss? You’ll have to suck it up until he/she is fired by his/her boss or you are able  to find a better situation elsewhere.

What if the problem is a co-worker? I’d give the same recommendations as with a terrible boss.

Don’t ever give your employer a justification to fire you. Always keep a positive, can do attitude.

Even if you have to, “Fake it till you make it!”

If not today, when?

 

Oh yes, I use my cell phone throughout the day just like you do. The ability to speak, text, email and entertainment are all terrific advancements in person to person communications.

Do you turn it off when you are engaged in conversation with another person right in front of you? Good manners would dictate that you respect the other person enough to prevent an interruption by turning it off .

More importantly, do you use your cell phone to speak with someone you used to visit with more often than you do now? Or would you rather text or email someone than have to speak with them? Your phone is a beautiful tool to use in avoiding someone or when wanting to avoid an unpleasant, but necessary topic.

Control your cell phone! Don’t let it control you! 

If not today, when?

 

Two of the most major blessings of my life happened without any effort on my part.

I was a very average student in my college marketing class. For some reason, our teacher appointed me to represent our college at a career day event being hosted by a large retailer. Marketing and business majors from all local colleges were invited. While on a tour of the retailer’s headquarters, I spotted a beautiful girl in a red dress who is now my wonderful wife of 54 years!

I was turned down while in a meeting with a bank I had hoped to sell it to. A young officer of that bank, who was in the meeting, told me he would help me sell it to a mortgage company subsidiary. He did!

There are no coincidences! I believe in God!

If not today, when?