COMMON DECENCY is not so common today.

No, the rhetoric is becoming less decent and increasingly harsh.

When Senator Bernie Sanders said that the super wealthy should pay their fair share of taxes, Elon Musk responded, “I keep forgetting you’re still alive!”

Today, our family is mourning the passing of a beautiful person whose outstanding attribute, among others, was DECENCY.

Her name is Ruth, wife, mother and grandmother who set an example for us all.

She lived by a certain set of honorable values that were never compromised under any circumstance.

Let us take a moment to thank GOD for Ruth and all those like her who practice DECENCY!

If not today, when?

We are all aware of the benefits of physical fitness.

But, most of us don’t practice keeping in shape on a regular basis.

It’s hard to make yourself wake up early and trudge off to a gym.

What if you had a buddy who could meet you and workout with you?

We don’t always keep the promises we make to ourselves.

Yet, we are more inclined to keep a promise we make to someone else.

That’s the magic in the, “Find A Health Buddy” concept.

And another benefit is that you have someone to talk to while working out.

Sounds like a WIN-WIN proposition to me!

If not today, when?

(From nytimes.com/well)

Despite all our human frailties, there is “NOTHING LIKE FAMILY!”

So, our family’s motto is, “Families Are Forever!”

Every time one of our children gets married, they and their new spouse are given this plaque to display prominently in their home.

The front doormat to our home has the same inscription.

This motto serves as an inspiration to maintain a commitment to the unity of the family no matter what!

All of us must practice patience and forgiveness and an ongoing demonstration of affection if we are to live by our motto.

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER!

Not just skydiving, but HIGH SPEED SKYDIVING!

Having spent 14 years flying Cobra attack helicopters and then fixed-wing aircraft in the military before making a career from jumping out of them, some pilots are well versed in the mechanics of successful, extreme flight.

CNN has seen footage of Maxine Tate, though, dropping head-first towards the ground. Her hands are up by her hips, arms in line with her body while she tries to keep her trailing legs and feet as still as possible.

“You get to a certain speed in the dive where you start to wobble,” she explains.

“And you have to push through that wobble, being very relaxed, but still maintaining body form and not reacting to the wobbles.

It’s a real mental and physical game.” (CNN)

These high speed skydivers push themselves to the limit.

How far are you willing to go to reach your goal?

If not today, when?

There are no roads leading to the tiny Canadian town of Churchill which sits near the Northeast tip of Manitoba.

But that doesn’t stop thousands of tourists from taking a train or a plane and visiting every Fall.

That’s because, in this area near the shores of Hudson Bay, you can go out on a tour and catch a glimpse of the world’s largest carnivore; the Polar Bear.

These bears spend most of the year on the Hudson Bay ice hunting for seals.

But, when the ice melts in the summer, they have to come ashore for a few months. (CNN)

Isn’t it nice to know, amid the current chaos, that nature still prevails as it always has.

Thank God.

Yes, it is the GIFT GIVING season.

So, why not give yourself a gift?

Oh, I know we’re supposed to be thinking of others.

And I’m sure you will.

But, why don’t you plan and schedule a gift just for you?

This has been a tough year for all of us.

Perhaps, however, you can do something nice for yourself. Take a long nap, take a walk, eat a goodie you haven’t had in a long time, set aside some hours to read or watch a movie.

“Take that frown, turn it upside down and smile, darn ya, smile.”

It could be something small or big, depending upon your resources.

If you don’t commit yourself to a deadline by which you’ll GIFT YOURSELF, it won’t happen!

If not today, when?

The Minnesota Vikings are celebrating a last second play that prevented an incredible comeback by the Pittsburgh Steelers last night.

Leading by a score of 29-0 late in the 3rd quarter, the Vikings had the game well in hand.

It took a broken pass in their end zone, however, that finally sealed the victory 38-29.

That’s why every game must be played.

Because YOU NEVER KNOW.

And that’s why EVERY DAY MUST BE LIVED BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW.

My wife’s grandfather used to say, “I’d like to live longer so I could see how this all turns out!”

The beginning of each day has an uncertain ending.

It’s another important chapter in the storybook of of our lives.

Give today your best effort because YOU NEVER KNOW!

If not today, when?

We know in many instances that LIFE IS UNFAIR!

The pandemic is a good example.

It affects or could affect every living person on earth.

And how about drought in one area and unbearable flooding in another?

And how about a few people who are born rich while most are born poor?

Despite all these various examples, YOU AND I CAN HELP MAKE THINGS RIGHT!

We can practice FAIRNESS every day in our treatment of other people.

We can leave this world, with all its flaws, a BETTER PLACE!

Let us every day in every way stress NOT OUR DIFFERANCES, but what WE HAVE IN COMMON.

If not today, when?

The ultimate child prodigy, he began composing music at the age of 5.

Thirty years later, upon his death, he had composed well over 600 works of music. If you do the math, that comes to an average of 20 original compositions per year which included major symphonies and operas such as “Figaro” and “The Magic Flute.”

Like all of us, he had to overcome many challenges throughout his life.

His father never really approved of him and they were estranged at his father’s passing.

He suffered poverty off and on and yet was in demand to perform in the palaces of royalty.

Although he and his wife had many children, most died shortly after their births.

There was much jealousy in the hearts of other composers because of his popularity.

He died at the age of 35 of pneumonia in 1791.

Yet, worldwide audiences still enjoy his gift of music in its many forms.

Yes, HE MADE A DIFFERENCE!

STRIVE TO BE POSITIVE-Be a realistic optimist–they pay close attention to their negative problems, but focus on those that can be solved.

LEARN FROM YOUR CHALLENGES-You have faced similar problems. Draw upon those experiences to solve the current problem.

HAVE ROLE MODELS OF RESILIENCE-Franklin Delano Roosevelt had polio. He became President and led America through WWII.

FIND YOUR MORAL CENTER-As Mark Twain said, “You can’t go wrong by doing the right thing!”

HAVE A PURPOSE IN LIFE-Have a passion, something to live for.

USE HUMOR DURING STRESSFUL TIMES-A sense of humor is always valuable, especially during the present time. (Chasing Life)

TOUGHEN UP!!

If not today, when?