It’s a tough question to answer for anyone.

Of course, there are many things to consider:

The first and most obvious question is your financial ability.

How will you spend this new-found free time?

Is there something you always wanted to do if you had the time?

Will you have a companion or be alone?

Should you move or stay where you are?

Do you enjoy your present line of work so much that you could never have as much fun in retirement?

Have you talked with some of your friends who are retired?

What has been their experience and advice?

Are there classes you could attend prior to retiring that could enable you to develop a new skill that would be useful in retirement?

Enter your retirement year with some advanced planning so you don’t walk away from a satisfactory employment situation and regret it.

Ukrainian soldiers risking their lives in the fight to defend their capital, KYIV! (NYT)

This photo is another example of young people willing to risk their lives so that friends, family and fellow countrymen can live in freedom.

Every generation in every country produces its own fierce brand of patriots who stand ready to answer the call.

How many of these six men will grow old enough to see their children and grand children grow up?

Patriotism demands a high price from those willing to practice it in war time.

One of my best friends paid the ultimate price in the fields of Vietnam.

Don’t EVER take your FREEDOM for granted!

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

It is times like these when people, frustrated with their present situation, think of owning their own business.

If you are one of those people, here are some things to think about:

Do you have a good idea for a new business?

Is there now and in the future will there be high demand for your products or services?

What is the vulnerability of your potential competitors?

It would be ideal if you could offer some benefit to your customers not available from competitors.

Which location would give you the greatest chance for success?

What would be your monthly overhead including all anticipated expenses?

Can you obtain adequate funds to start the business and suffer losses for the first year?

Do you have the emotional and physical stamina to start and manage a business?

If you have evaluated and feel the time is right, GO FOR IT!!!

I do and always have.

Some people don’t, so they seek the advice of others before acting.

I don’t think it’s a bad idea to get other opinions before facing a MAJOR decision.

If, however, you must seek others’ opinion on everyday issues, that can be quite debilitating.

If you don’t face most issues instinctively. it could indicate a lack of self-confidence.

I think the strength of your instincts is a result of your life experiences, thus far.

Good and bad experiences are both good teachers which, inserted into your memory bank, forms the basis from which your instincts can serve you well.

Perhaps, if you begin relying on your instincts more, you’ll find they are reliable!

If not today, when?

Sunday was always the “Day Of Prayer.”

Statistics tell us that church attendance has dropped considerably.

It has dropped below the majority of American citizens for the first time. (Gallup)

It seems the older generation continues their church-going habits

while the younger generation does not attend.

The great irony is that these troubled times need all of God’s blessings.

Regardless of whether you go to a church, do you believe in God?

I DO for the simple reason that I don’t believe many of the good things that have happened in my life were a coincidence.

No, I think they were an answer to my prayers and the overall love of God.

You and I don’t have all the answers to this life.

Our CREATOR does.

Don’t just call upon HIM in times of crises.

Prayer should be used to ask for help and to thank GOD for all that is good in our lives!

If not today, when?

Are you aware of the impression you make on other people?

It’s an important question because people are more inclined to accept the thoughts and behavior of people they like.

This is true in business relationships.

There is an old saying, “People do business with people they like!”

And it’s very true in personal and loving relationships.

How do you relate to your spouse?

What is his or her impression of you.

The impression you make on your spouse will affect the potential happiness of both parties in the relationship for a lifetime.

What do your kids think of you?

Do they think you care about them or that you’re too busy?

Do they think you are reasonable or unreasonable?

We’re never done learning and hopefully growing into a better person.

Be constantly mindful of the impression you make on others!

If not today, when?

We all have them as part of our past.

Broken relationships!

Missed business opportunities!

Words you can’t take back!

A pattern of bad decisions!

Whatever the regrets may be, we just can’t seem to relegate them to the past and move on.

And yet, that is precisely what we must do.

Past regrets weigh you down.

They don’t permit you to make the most of today and all your tomorrows.

The ANSWER IS FORGIVENESS!

You must FORGIVE yourself and acknowledge that you are human and we all make mistakes.

I saw one of my loved ones suffer from a past regret from her twenties that bothered her until her death at age 91.

Don’t do that.

Set yourself free!

If not today, when?

This is not a pleasant topic, but it is necessary.

Un unhealthy body cannot deliver the results of a healthy body.

Sometimes, we have so many issues to address that our physical well being is low on our list of priorities.

And we can’t let that happen!

Stress, as an example affects many parts of the body.

A healthy body can tolerate stress better than un unhealthy one.

Regular doctor and dental checkups are ways to prevent hidden problems.

Again and again, we hear of the absolute necessity of regular exercise.

But, do we exercise regularly?

Two other health issues are alcohol consumption and maintenance of a healthy weight.

You are the only person in control of your health.

Take charge!

If not today, when?

It makes for a more fulfilling life if you dedicate yourself to “A Daily Victory!”

Before you retire for the night, be sure to do something that can qualify as an accomplishment.

You may be having a bad day otherwise, but a ‘Daily Victory” lifts you up and reminds you that at least one thing went right today.

A “Daily Victory” is a form of self management.

Don’t awake each morning wondering what’s going to happen today.

Awake each morning knowing you are going to make something happen.

And that something will be a “Daily Victory” no matter how small!

If not today, when?

Russia is using a supersonic missile that travels at 10 times the speed of sound.

They are being used against apartment buildings in Ukraine.

Because of their tremendous speed, they are incapable of being shot down.

Mankind has always been ingenious at creating devices that hurt people.

I wish we were as dedicated at creating ways of helping people.

The human condition is stricken with disease, hunger, poverty, loneliness and prejudice.

Can you help someone stricken with any of the above conditions?

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.”