No one is harder on you than YOU!

You could probably make a nice long list of the things you don’t like about yourself. Don’t do that! The world and life will always be there to attack you and your sense of self esteem.

DON’T pile on!

If you’ve had bad days and regrettable events, leave them in the past because you can’t live in yesterday, only today.

That’s the beauty of this existence of ours. We don’t live a week, month or year at a time. No, our lives are served up in bite sized pieces…only one day at a time.

Live it to the full!

If not today, when?

 

 

 

Are you in a rut while performing the same old routine day after day?

If so, it’s time to refresh your soul!

It doesn’t have to necessarily be an expensive change of pace, but I do think it must include a change of scene.

Get away to someplace new to you. After fifty four years of marriage, six children and twenty two grand children, we are on an adventure and loving it!

It’s good for you to push yourself into new surroundings including the opportunity to meet new people and learn of their life experiences.

Don’t become stale. Go for it!

If not today, when?

Some people will never apologize in either words or actions.

Some will offer words of apology, but will not initiate subsequent actions aimed at correcting their behavior. So, in all probability, it will happen again. The words of the apology must not have been heartfelt.

Some will not offer words of apology, but will immediately correct their behavior so it won’t happen again. Perhaps their egos won’t permit them to say the words, but they care enough about their relationship with you that they are willing to do the heavy lifting of a deliberate decision to avoid repeating the offense.

How will you show you are contrite when offending someone?

If not today, when?

 

 

 

Made the same mistake twice? Or more?

We’ve all done that, but in major life decisions, it can really hurt. That’s why snap decisions without any review of past experiences is really poor self management.

In the end, our life story of joy and sorrow is written by the quality of our decision making. In that regard, we must be willing to seek the advice of others whose experience and recommendations could really help us.

So, draw upon your experience when it is available, but don’t allow your pride to prevent you from learning of the experience of someone else.

If not today, when?

We woke up yesterday in a rain storm. It was a dark and gloomy ride to the airport. We flew from Detroit to Orlando. As the plane lifted up through the dark and threatening clouds, we began to see a glimmer of light above.

Suddenly, the sun erased the gloom and we felt like we had entered a whole new world of joy and exultation!

As we must remember that the sun is always with us above every storm, likewise, God is always with us through our personal storms!

Do you believe?

Do you have self imposed standards for your personal behavior? Or put another way, are there certain things you will or will not do?

If you don’t have them clearly established in your mind, I suggest that you consider which principles you will decide to live by.

I have enjoyed sailing most of my life. You would never want to be in a sailboat without a rudder that helps you guide the boat to its destination.

The same is true with your life.

These self imposed guidelines can be your rudder for a lifetime!

If not today, when?

 

 

My dad always told me while I was growing up: “Remember Tom, everybody puts on their pants one leg at a time.” He wanted me to know that I shouldn’t be intimidated by strangers because we all have so much in common.

Although we may look differently one from another, when the chips are down and our backs are against the wall, we are saved by someone we do not know. With all the natural disasters we hear about on a daily basis, acts of heroism are commonplace.

Our different ethnicities and cultures need not be a barrier to our relationships.

So, can’t we love one another and look for the good in everyone?

If not today, when?

 

 

YES, YOU ARE!

We all have shortcomings, but we must put them into perspective. The biggest thing depriving you of the life you want, may be your sense of unworthiness.

Don’t do that to yourself!

You will never even get close to the life you want if you keep telling yourself that you don’t deserve it. The world is filled with naysayers who seem to take great satisfaction in spreading doom and gloom.

One of them could even be your best friend.

Give yourself a chance by believing you are worthy of a better life. Looking back on my 77 years of life, I know it goes by too quickly.

So, step out into your new life of possibilities!

If not today, when?

Is it only the traditional male quality of being brave and strong? Or, is there an additional part of the definition that modern society needs now more than ever.

Are you also a good husband and father?

Do you, as an example, like to hide behind your role as the bread winner which thereby excuses you from all the other duties that are unfairly delegated to your wife? If that is your approach to being a husband and father, your sons will have a role model who prepares them for a future marriage destined for a train wreck.

Today’s modern woman deserves a partner who is a partner!

If not today, when?

At the age of 89, my dad lay dying in the hospital. The doctor told us that he had suffered a heart attack, his kidneys had failed and his lungs were filling with fluid. Being the oldest of six children, I was asked by my mother to break the news to him that he was dying.

We gathered around his bed and I told him all the facts. He reached out to hold our hands and said, “Well guys, what can I say?” As with a single voice, we all replied, “You said it with your life!” He had lead a very exemplary life, one which all his children try to emulate.

What are you saying with your life?  Is it worth emulating?

If not today, when?