There are many ways to love a person other than the physical act itself.

I refer to it as “Loving by Doing.”

Anything that you can do that lightens the load of your loved ones is an act of love.

Especially when referring to your married partner.

After the marital vows are exchanged, life in many small and big ways should be easier and more enjoyable for both parties.

You can make that happen on a daily basis.

If he or she forgot something needed from the grocery store or pharmacy, you can jump up and go get it.

If there are some tasks that your spouse really dislikes, you can volunteer to do them.

These are just a few examples of “Loving by Doing.”

If not today, when?

It’s great to be proud of your accomplishments.

But, it’s even greater to be humble in demeanor.

If you live your life in an exemplary manner, you don’t have to draw attention to it because it speaks for itself.

A perfect example of humility is the willingness to apologize for a previous error.

That’s not easy or comes naturally.

Humility is not often found in people who have accomplished great things.

In their case, pride takes over.

Blessed are those who seek accolades for others instead of themselves.

If not today, when?

Every July, there is a yacht race from Port Huron, Michigan up the length of Lake Huron to an island paradise called “Mackinac Island.”

Although, I had competed 100 times in small racing yachts on an inland lake, I was always afraid of the BIG ONE (Port Huron To Mackinac.)

The BIG ONE is 250 miles long and takes 3 days and 2 nights to finish.

At the age of 64, I finally got up the courage to give it a go.

We took off on a 35′ racing yacht with a crew of 6.

The first day was great with a decent wind pushing us up the lake.

When we greeted the second day, the sky behind us turned fiery red.

There is an old saying,:

“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning!”

As beautiful as it was, it was an ominous sight to the experienced crew members aboard.

The storm came up from behind us bringing huge waves and deep troughs.

It tossed the boat around like it was a toy.

Some of the vital parts of the boat began to break under the strain.

Our captain, who was trying to keep the boat upright, became seasick and had to be tied to the stern rail to prevent him from falling overboard in his weakened condition.

The storm raged on for 8 hours.

During that entire time, I just put myself in God’s hands.

That’s the lesson I learned that day.

When in trouble, put yourself in God’s hands!

If not today, when?

This is a serious and very important question.

Because your ability to enjoy the best possible life hinges on the answer.

Another way to ask the question is, “How high is your self esteem?”

The answer to both questions determine the level of your SELF CONFIDENCE.

And SELF CONFIDENCE determines every phase of your life.

It will dictate who you marry.

It will dictate your financial success or failure.

It will dictate the quality of your friends.

It will absolutely dictate the quality of your daily happiness because you have to live with yourself 24/7.

Sure, you’ve made mistakes big and small.

Haven’t we all?

God loves you 24/7. So, why shouldn’t you?

If not today, when?

You fall in love when you’re young, but youth doesn’t last forever.

There are many phases to growing old as a couple.

First come the babies followed eventually by teenage trauma.

All through these years, the two of you are scrambling to pay tuition and keep the kids out of trouble.

Eventually the kids may get married.

Then the grandkids begin to appear and you are asked to play a role with them.

Meanwhile, the two of you don’t look the same as when you first met.

Because you are so involved with your kids and grandkids, you find little time for the two of you.

One or both of you may health issues as you age.

So, marriage is not for the faint of heart.

Sadness is an integral part of living.

There is no escaping it.

The greatness source of sadness is the loss of a loved one.

That is the one sadness that is always with us because in addition to the loss is the reality that you also miss them terribly.

I think in many other situations in life, regret and disappoint are close partners of sadness.

Regardless of the cause of any sadness you may experience, I believe it is a necessary ingredient of wisdom.

I also believe sadness inspires compassion for others who are suffering.

Life is not “A bowl of cherries.”

No, it is a composite of many emotions that lead to something we call “MATURITY!”

There are many criteria on which our life can be judged.

Here are a few:

FRIEND-How good a friend you are depends upon when your friend is in need. Do you respond in the appropriate manner. Can you be depended upon in times of stress?

SPOUSE-Are you faithful? Do you put the well being of your partner ahead of yours? Do you keep your promises?

PARENT-Bringing a child into the world is a serious lifelong responsibility. Parenting duties must be shared by both parties. How would you rate yourself?

FINANCIAL PROVIDER-Do you do your part when working to provide financial stability for your family?

MENTOR-Do you live your life in such a responsible manner that it inspires others to do likewise?

PATRIOT-Have you served your country and/or do support your country in other ways despite its flaws?

Living a responsible life is not easy, but necessary if we are to have a civil society.

I honestly believe the most powerful force on earth is a mother’s love of her child!

Come hell or high water, moms love their children no matter what.

I am convinced a mother’s love of her child is the closest thing to GOD’S LOVE that we will ever witness on this earth.

Moms go through various stages that are unselfishly devoted to the wellbeing of the child.

She endures the discomfort of pregnancy and the physical pain of child birth.

After birth, she swings into action as the child’s primary nurturer and advocate.

Mom is the first to forgive the child’s shortcomings and transgressions.

And her love of the child does not have a` time limit.

Among all the roles of her life, motherhood comes first and doesn’t expire until she expires.

THANK YOU GOD FOR OUR MOMS!

If not today, when?

These are Russian soldiers.

130,000 of them are poised to attack their neighbor, Ukraine.

Thousands of men, women and children will die if the attack gets underway.

Yes, Ukraine is thousands of miles from America’s shores.

So, should you care?

I don’t think at this juncture you should worry about this situation.

But, you should be aware of it.

Violence does sometimes get out of control and create unintended consequences.

I think it’s always a good idea to at least keep an eye on the world we live in.

I wish countries would get along.

Look at those soldiers.

They are barely out of their teens.

And they will pay the price with their lives for the decisions made by older men who have their own agenda in mind.

It’s always the young who pay the ULTIMATE price for the decisions of the old!

Have you ever noticed that things cost more and in return for the higher prices, you get less or no service?

In the grocery and drug stores, as an example, shoppers are encouraged to check themselves out.

In big box stores you have to search for sales help.

Gas stations used to pump your gas while you sat comfortably in your car. No more!

It’s almost impossible to get immediate service anywhere.

You must make an appointment for weeks ahead.

This is all the result of cost-cutting at the customers’ inconvenience.

And more services are rendered over ZOOM rather than in person.

Even medical services.

Let’s face it: The customer is no longer put on a pedestal.

Retailers wonder why former customers shop on line. It is so much more convenient to shop at home and have things delivered….even groceries!

Successful businesses who give great service find themselves appreciated and profusely thanked by customers.

Celebrate good service and let the businesses know that is why you shop with them.