Do you spend most of your time thinking of the future or your past?

Fortunately or unfortunately, your past defines you up to today.

Because we still live in a free country, you can do or become whatever you wish.

Provided, however, that you’re willing to pay the price for a future that far exceeds your past.

And your past may be a real detriment to gaining a better future.

I know many people who have not successfully overcome their past and never will.

How about you?

Is your past life a launching pad for an even greater future?

Or, will you linger in a regrettable past that weighs you down?

Your yesterdays, good or bad, are behind you.

Live in the possibilities of a better today and tomorrow!

If not today, when?

It’s just another indicator of a society in decline.

We’re seeing more and more copycats breaking into retail stores and taking whatever they want.

I blame a lot of it on people in high places who lie to get what they want.

There are bad examples of people misbehaving everywhere.

So, how is the next generation going to behave when they see their mentors going down the wrong path?

If you are a parent, you are a primary influencer of your children.

Don’t walk away from your responsibility to show and teach your kids what’s right and wrong.

We must save this country one family at a time!

Stand up for AMERICA!

If not today, when?

Because of all the changes brought about by Covid, we have had to adapt to new habits.

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

As a simple example:

One of our grandsons was a lifeguard this summer, but he had never become a member of a swim team.

Until today!

In his first high school meet, he had a first and second place finish!

And he really enjoyed the camaraderie and team spirit of his 40 teammates.

You never know about trying something new until you decide to take a chance.

Try it! You’ll like it!

If not today, when?

We are all susceptible to Covid!

For the first time, at least in my lifetime, every person on earth is concerned about the same thing.

There is a commonality that is shared by all.

So, why do we continue to dwell on the differences between the races and ethnicities?

We all want to give and receive LOVE.

We all want to enjoy GOOD HEALTH.

We all want to be SAFE FROM HARM.

We all want to be RESPECTED.

We all want PERSONAL FREEDOM.

We all want ADEQUATE FOOD AND DRINK.

So, you see, we are all related!

After the shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford Michigan,, the father of TATE MYRE went looking for him at a Meijer Store where all the kids had run to.

He couldn’t find him in the store and suddenly realized TATE wouldn’t be running away from the shooter, but towards him.

He wouldn’t hesitate to try to save the lives of his classmates.

And he was one of four students who died that day.

He was an honor student and a terrific football player at the school with a bright future both academically and athletically.

Our grandson is a high school football player who knew Tate.

He asked us this question, “Why does this kind of thing have to happen during my generation?”

What is your answer?

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga have sung together for ten years.

At his present age of 95, he suffers from an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s Disease.

When, however, he sits down at the piano, the familiar Tony Bennett re-emerges.

So, it is his reaction to THE FAMILIAR that triggers something in his brain that permits him to play and sing.

Like Tony, we all have a need for THE FAMILIAR.

Our greatest need is to have FAMILIAR PEOPLE in our lives.

When a FAMILIAR person passes away, we feel the loss.

We also feel comfort in FAMILIAR PLACES and with FAMILIAR TRADITIONS.

Millions of our fellow citizens travel every year at Thanksgiving time to enjoy THE FAMILIAR.

FAMILIARITY can be a great source of joy!

And so it goes.

Endings can be sad or joyful and Beginnings can also be one or the other.

When something comes to an End, we can look back with regrets or with a sense of accomplishment with 20-20 vision.

Beginnings are an entirely different experience because we don’t know what to expect.

So, everything going forward  is uncertain.

Needless to say, the juncture of an Ending and a Beginning can be traumatic for any of us.

Yet, these experiences help us grow and hopefully gain more WISDOM in the process.

Are you growing in wisdom?

If not, you’re not paying attention.

 

 

There is a family who’s only income is from the sale of Christmas Trees.

They grow the trees on their 24 acres of land.

Every year, they must plant new trees in order to replace those that are sold.

Three years ago, the owner was cutting down a tree for a customer, had a heart attack and died.

When one of our sons and daughter-in-law heard about this, they volunteered to help.

Ever since then, he dresses up like Santa and entertains the 150 kids who come with their parents to pick out a tree. She handles the cash register and some of their children also volunteer. It is hard, exhausting work.

I know it’s a complicated world, but some things are very simple.

The simplest truth is, “It is in giving that you receive!”

Reach out this holiday season and make someone’s load a little lighter.

If not today, when?

We all have differences with loved ones, friends and business associates.

When bringing up the topic of COMPROMISE, we must be able to differentiate one disagreement from another.

My ultimate goal is to maintain a good relationship with the other person even though we are currently at odds.

Relationships may take time to create, but can be quickly destroyed in a heated exchange.

Having said this, as eager as I am to prioritize the relationship higher than the current issue,

“I will not compromise my values because IF YOU DON’T STAND FOR SOMETHING, YOU’LL FALL FOR ANYTHING!”

When in disagreement, be a good listener and seek common ground, if possible.

If not today, when?

When asked, upon departing after her 16 year tenure as Chancellor of Germany, how she should be remembered, Angela Merkel replied, “She Tried.”

Not having been cursed with the MALE EGO, her numerous accomplishments were never about herself.

No, they were all about solving problems and getting results. 

If she was a man she probably would have spoken of her many, noteworthy accomplishments.

And therein lies the difference between the male and female species!

Decisions, that are motivated by the need to serve one’s ego, are usually a detriment to others.

At the age of 80, I’ve witnessed the MALE EGO at its worst.

It’s not a pretty site.

Let me repeat, “WOMEN SHOULD RULE THE WORLD!”

If not today, when?