What ever happened to the motivating force called “character”?

Do you remember the old saying, “Doing the right thing is the right thing to do?”

I guess the U.S. Senate will give Trump a pass for attempting to convert America into a dictatorship by violent means.

How about the employees who steal from their employer or don’t give a honest effort?

How about the habit of lying?

How about one spouse cheating on the other?

How about going along with the crowd when you know it’s wrong?

How about looking the other way when someone is in need?

Aren’t we supposed to hold ourselves to a higher standard?

I’m thinking of certain values that are not negotiable like:

PATRIOTISM–LOYALTY–HONESTY–COMPASSION

If not today, when?

I heard an old song on the car radio this morning.

It was recorded in the 1950’s and was titled, “I love you for sentimental reasons.”

What are the sentimental reasons you love your spouse?

Is it the great joy of greeting your firstborn child?

Is it the countless little kindnesses along the way?

Is it the loving care you received during a medical emergency?

Is it the times you worked shoulder to shoulder during a financial crisis.

Is it the emotional support after the death of your parents?

Is it your partner’s constant loyalty through the ups and downs?

Is it the willingness to admit making a mistake?

Is it the willingness to forgive?

Is it the willingness to respect your privacy?

Is it the willingness to love you unconditionally?

Do you believe in love at 1st sight?

Or, is it just physical attraction at 1st sight?

Or can physical attraction serve as the catalyst to give real love a chance?

And as we get older and are not as physically attractive as in our youth, can love still survive?

My answer is YES to all the above!

I happen to believe in love at 1st sight.

I also believe that love at 1st sight can mature into the purest form of love which is unconditional love!

Most parents love their children with unconditional love.

It comes naturally because your kids are “flesh of your flesh.”

Love at 1st sight is not a natural phenomenon.

No, it is a never-to-be-forgotten emotional awakening like none other.

It’s rare, but oh so wonderful!

Let us always celebrate that rare LIGHTNING STROKE we call love at 1st sight!

If not today, when?

Oh yes, you are becoming more today than ever before!

…And the reason is that you learned one more thing yesterday that is making you wiser with more potential than ever before.

Every day, we experience something new we can put to good use down the road.

Those who grow more rapidly than most are those who are better listeners and observers of the passing scene.

Our lives never stand still because we are constantly taking in new experiences that, combined with prior experiences, give us a new perspective.

New perspectives enable us to improve our ability to make better decisions than in our earlier years.

So, listen and observe the decisions of those who succeed and those who fail.

There is something to be learned from each.

If not today, when?

I walked into a restaurant and the greeter said, “How are you today young man?”

Whenever somebody refers to me as “young man,” I know I look old.

That’s OK because I’m just grateful to be alive and able.

Many people fear growing old.

I have never felt that way because I am very much aware of my blessings.

Oh, there are days I don’t have the energy I’d like to have.

…And there are some new aches and pains.

With the aches and pains, however, comes wisdom.

With wisdom comes perspective on what is truly important.

Love of the LESS FORTUNATE is truly important!

I don’t know what your age is, but I know you have your own set of worries.

Life at any age isn’t easy, but it is a gift for which I continue to be most GRATEFUL!

Be grateful for your life!

If not today, when?

Keep your love alive with a surprise!

Regardless of your role in your marriage, your efforts to sustain it are always appreciated.

Years ago, I was the general manager of a large real estate company.

All our mangers were in town for a week long business meeting.

Because it was up to me to plan and execute the agenda, I was exhausted when it was over.

When I came home that night, my wife had a big surprise for me.

Our six children were all seated in the living room.

Our suitcases were packed and already in the car.

She announced that the owner of our company had agreed to some days off for me.

We were going to the airport and staying the night at a hotel.

The following morning, we flew to Nassau in the Bahamas for a much-needed vacation.

Keep your love alive! Surprise your spouse!

If not today, when?

There is a grocery chain in Florida called PUBLIX.

It is the most “customer oriented” company you’ll ever see!

Because of that, each trip to their stores is a satisfying shopping experience.

If you don’t know where something is located, an employee will stop what they’re doing and personally take you there.

The stores are always completely stocked and very clean throughout.

If new employees adhere to the PUBLIX rules of customer care, they can become stockholders.

So, the majority of the employees you encounter are also owners of the company.

Every business can become successful by learning from the example of PUBLIX.

I believe it’s good to recognize companies who put the customer first!

We need a lot more of them!

EVERYTHING WORTHWHILE IS HARD!

There are no shortcuts to a fulfilling life.

Are you willing to pay the price in order to realize a better version of yourself?

One of our granddaughters just completed her high school volleyball season.

Her team won the state championship.

It was a hard, arduous season with its ups and downs.

Because of the pandemic, she had to play each game while wearing a mask that interfered with her breathing.

So, another example of hard earned success.

Have you clarified what you want to accomplish with the remainder of your life?

If not, why not?

Don’t drift through life.

We need you to make your own wonderful contribution to our society.

“Stay away from easy!”

If not today, when?

On this inauguration day, let’s take a breath.

Regardless of your political preference, let’s go forward and make our collective future better than our most recent past.

I hope we can live up to the sacrifices of those who paid THE ULTIMATE PRICE!

Most of our military heroes died in their early twenties on battlefields around the world.

What you say and do will make a difference in all our lives.

Like every other country, we are a collection of individuals whose behavior counts.

Be a part of the glue that holds us together.

At this moment, we really need your good example and leadership.

You are an important member of our society and can make a difference.

God bless us all!

Most of us really aren’t very interested in the plight of strangers.

People are into themselves and those people and issues close to them.

That is understandable because of the current threats we’re facing.

This is also not the time, however, to ignore those who are in crisis.

With the advent of social media and cell phones, people can live in their own world all day.

Phone calls and personal time spent together lose out to texts and emails.

I think we’re a splintered society because we don’t know each other.

If we don’t know each other, we won’t care about people outside our circle.

The HAVE and HAVE NOT gap is growing larger every day.

REACH OUT AND LIFT UP THE FORGOTTEN!

If not today, when?