It’s an important question.

There are only two things in our lives, fact and perception.

And fact doesn’t count!

Many factors go into how people perceive you:

YOUR APPEARANCE

This is probably the most compelling factor. 

Of course, your appearance includes your body and your clothing.

THINGS YOU SAY

Also a big influence on others’ perception.

This category also includes not only what you say, but the quality of your vocabulary and pronunciation.

YOUR BEHAVIOR

Do you have “Good Manners?”

Are you unnecessarily overbearing and assertive?

Do you compliment others for a “job well done?”

Are you considerate of others’ feelings?

YOUR FRIENDS

You are definitely judged by the company you keep.

If your friends are trouble makers, you’ll be considered one also, automatically.

CONCLUSION

The manner in which you are perceived will impact all phases of your life.

Always be mindful of how you come across to others!

If not today, when?

The well known football coach, Lou Holtz, has always practiced his W.I.N. theory.

He learned early in life, while growing up in a very poor family just living on the edge of survival, that doing WHAT’S IMPORTANT NOW could lead to a successful life.

It’s similar to choosing between what you want to do and what you should do.

Because of his harsh conditions, he didn’t have the luxury of doing what he wanted to do.

I’m not telling you anything you didn’t already know.

My question for you is, “Will you become a person who strives to do WHAT’S IMPORTANT NOW as a part of your daily life?”

It won’t be easy, but it has the potential to put you on paths of success in reaching every goal you want to achieve.

DO WHAT’S IMPORTANT NOW!

If not today, when?

Over many aspects of your life, including the weather.

Now that winter is approaching, as an example, it is staying dark later into the morning hours.

We woke up at 7AM to go swimming at an indoor pool this morning and it was pitch black and  raining outside.

So, do you allow weather to affect your mood?

If so, you’re in for a rough time because, with climate change upon us, the weather is becoming even more unpredictable.

Weather, over which you have no control, is going to do whatever it’s going to do.

So, why get upset about something “You can’t control?”

And BTW, that applies to many other things that you worry about.

Fix the things you can fix and ignore the rest!

If not today, when?

It’s a fact every school child knows: Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.

It’s a truth that feels ancient and inevitable, an unassailable certainty that draws hundreds of climbers to attempt the summit each year — because, in the words of George Mallory, one of the first mountaineers to conquer it, “it’s there.”

However, this fascination with the mountain whose historic Tibetan name is Qomolangma (“Holy Mother”) is a modern phenomenon and the first reconnaissance mission to its slopes was completed just a century ago, on October 25, 1921. (CNN)

So, people climb Mount Everest “BECAUSE IT’S THERE!”

It’s an accomplishment that brings great joy, great memories and a self-esteem boost.

I had that same experience when I decided to become a crewmember on racing yachts that travelled the length of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

I did it “BECAUSE IT WAS THERE!”

The euphoria I felt after each race was indescribable.

They added to the quality of my life!

Take on an adventure “BECAUSE IT’S THERE!”

If not today, when?

 

Italy’s new national airline, ITA Airways, took to the skies last week, but all is not well on the ground of Italian aviation.

Former Alitalia flight attendants protested this week against job losses and pay cuts in a particularly Italian way — by taking their clothes off.

At the Campidoglio — the center of power in Rome for around 2,000 years and whose main square was redesigned by Michelangelo — about 50 female former flight attendants turned up in their Alitalia uniforms, then removed them to stand in their underwear, chanting “We are Alitalia.”

Theirs was a demonstration to protest not only against their job losses, but also against the contracts awarded to those who have been retained by ITA Airways. (CNN)

Around the world and definitely here in the U.S., employees are protesting unfair working conditions.

In addition to protesting, many are just quitting in hopes of a better opportunity elsewhere.

We have never seen such a massive revolt of the working class before.

Perhaps, employers should look in the mirror.

If not today, when?

What does “Dare To Live” mean?

I think it means to turn dreams into goals.

It means that you should strive to accomplish something that’s really important to you.

It could be losing weight so that you reach a self-established weight limit.

Or, it could mean GOING BACK TO SCHOOL either to learn a well-paying trade or to obtain a degree in some professional specialty.

Whatever it is that you want, it may require an effort you never thought you were able of.

You see, the world doesn’t limit your possibilities.

YOU DO!

It takes courage to pursue a new direction for your future success.

Others may try to discourage you, but it’s your life, not theirs!

DARE TO LIVE!

If not today, when?

The late Colin Powell was interviewed earlier this year.

The question: “You have been Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of State and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Of all the people you’ve met, what one person has impressed you the most?”

Answer: “My wife, Alma. She has stood by me and raised our kids while I was always gone. She also tells me when she thinks I have a bad idea.”

Here is my question for you, “Do you, husband or wife, appreciate the enormous contribution your spouse has made to the quality of your life?”

I see it happening every day in my life.

I hope you do too.

If not today, when?

THESE FANS AND OTHERS AROUND THE WORLD ARE SUCKING CARBON DIOXIDE OUT OF THE AIR!

Humans have emitted so much carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere that machines like this are being used to literally suck the gas back out, like giant vacuum cleaners, in an attempt to slow the climate crisis and prevent some of its most devastating consequences.

The verdict on this approach and its effectiveness remains to be seen.

Because the world’s nations still can’t agree on fighting the harmful effects of climate change, at least some scientists are making an attempt to do something while there is, hopefully, still time,

No one really knows if there is enough time to save the planet, but at least something is being done while government leaders agree to disagree.

It is a true crisis that affects everyone.

More efforts must be made.

If not today, when?

She was 18 and he was 45 when they met.

He was struck blind in a soccer game at the age of 12.

He, of course, became a world renowned tenor and she had already launched an acting career.

He already had two sons in a previous marriage

Although, he could not ever see what she looked like, he was captivated by her skin texture and voice.

They were married in 2014 and by the marriage day had a two year old daughter together.

She woke him up one morning crying about the terrible Haitian earthquake that killed so many people and left millions homeless.

She said, “We must do something” and the Andrea Bocelli Foundation was created to help the poor.

Veronica became friends with Andrea’s ex-wife whos name is Enrica Cenzatti.

Enrica attended the wedding of Andrea and Veronica.

Quite unusual and exemplary on the part of both women.

I guess with love, everything is possible.

In 1966, I was sent to the Pensacola Naval Air Station for officer training.

Every morning in the chow hall, I noticed a large number of fellow officers who were short in stature.

I realized they were young Navy pilots in training because they had to be short in order to fit into the cockpit of their A1E attack planes,

When the rest of us went off to classrooms, they climbed into the cockpit of their planes.

There was an aircraft carrier cruising in the Gulf of Mexico each day.

The young pilots had to fly out to that carrier and practice landing and taking off (touch and go) in all kinds of weather conditions.

After training, they were stationed on carriers in the Tonkin Gulf off Vietnam.

Senator John McCain (Pictured above, lower right) was one of those “Short Guys” who was shot down and held captive for many years.

Many of those “Short Guys” didn’t return.

True patriots, each and every one!