(In my youth, there was a popular song entitled “Make Someone Happy.” It had a truly meaningful message. A message much needed in these times.)

Make someone happy
Make just one, someone happy
Make just one heart the heart you cling to

Fame, if you win it
Comes and goes in a minute
Where’s the real stuff in life, to cling to?

Love is the answer
Someone to love is the answer

Make someone happy
Make just one, someone happy
And you will be happy too

He can’t walk, but he can keep his mind alert.

Yes, he’s disabled and he spends his days with his books of puzzles.

We can learn from him.

Like him, we must cope with whatever is holding us back.

Is it your lack of the education needed to obtain the career you want?

Is it your lack of self confidence to speak up when necessary?

Can we accept our circumstances and stilll move forward?

Remember the man and his puzzles.

Confucius)

My wife has a favorite saying, “Keep on marching.”

I guess that’s what Confucius was also saying.

Some of our days are better than others.

But, added up, they make a lifetime.

We must re-dedicate each day to the virtues we believe in.

If we do that, each of our days is worthwhile in the sight of God.

We’re in short supply of KINDNESS these days.

A simple way to be kind is to offer “Thanks!”

Three other ways to express kindness is to practice compassion, empathy and forgiveness.

We need more of it in our families.

We need more of it in the work place.

We need more of it in the public dialogue.

We need more of it in our marriages!

Will you practice kindness?

If not today, when?

This is a very timely question.

It seems that everyone has an agenda.

And we live in a time when misinformation is commonplace.

So, how do we go about making responsible decisions?

Because common sense is not so common, it’s difficult.

But, you still know good from bad.

Yes, you still know right from wrong.

If something just doesn’t feel right, it’s not right.

Not now, not ever!

(Henry Ford)

Can you imagine the problems Henry Ford had with the first assembly line?

And the hiring and training needed to teach the skills necessary?

So, I think advice from Henry Ford is worthy of our attention.

We have all had difficult challenges along the way.

Ironically, those challenges and their solution give us LIFT to face those just around the corner.

Life will never cease serving up problems.

We must never cease providing the answers.

If not today, when?

I grew up in South Bend and my dad was a professor at ND for 21 years and I sold programs at all home games.

So, you might say I’m an ND fan through and through!

Last night ND hosted the Aggies from Texas A & M.

In the final minutes of the 4th quarter, ND went ahead with a TD.

The holder on the extra point dropped the snap from the center giving ND a 6 point lead.

The Aggies came back with a TD and extra point, winning the game 41 to 40.

I guess I’m supposed to say, “It’s only a game.”

I can’t.

(Norman Vincent Peale)

I once heard a saying, “You become what you think you are!”

This is a short life.

Make it meaningful!

Most people limit rather than expand their possibilities.

It all comes down to the thoughts you permit yourself to have.

Yes, going in a different direction may be scary, but it can be oh so rewarding!

If not today, when?

(Steve Jobs)

No one loved his work more than Steve Jobs.

I know it may be impossible for you to leave your present job

…and go to your ideal job because it doesn’t make sense financially.

As we know, Steve Jobs began by tinkering in his garage.

There was no instant financial gain realized from his tinkering.

But he had a new idea that he thought had real potential.

Do you have a new idea that has potential?

Could you pursue it in your spare time?

Or, could you sell your idea to someone who has the time and resources?

Or, would you be willing or able to work in your favorite job part time?

I don’t know if any of my ideas listed here are practical or just thought starters for you.

(Al Fracassa)

Al put in action a 44 year tradition called Agility Drills..

These drills involved waking up at 6AM and coming to the school 3 days a week for 4 weeks.

They were grueling and very physically demanding.

No other team subjected their players to such a regimen.

And it made a difference during games.