Are you using your time at home wisely?

Yesterday, we discovered that 10,000 restaurants will be closed in the next three weeks.

So, if you’re in the restaurant industry, it’s time to turn to something else.

And how about the rest of us?

None of us know what the American economy will be one year from now.

The job you’re doing today may not be available in 2021.

I think it would be prudent to examine the online training classes being offered right now.

Even if you never use a newly acquired skill, isn’t it still smart to have an alternative if needed?

I just feel that this is “think outside the box time” for each of us!

Changing circumstances call for increased flexibility.

How prepared are you for whatever is ahead?

It reminds me of the old motto, “Be Prepared!”

If not today, when?

Which technique is best utilized when motivating an audience?

Public speakers who basically appeal to reason are rather boring.

On the other hand, public speakers who appeal to emotion are much more entertaining!

Having given 2,800 motivational sales rallies, I learned something about crowd dynamics.

Given the proper delivery, a good public speaker can get members of the audience to feed off each other’s sense of excitement.

Group dynamics is an interesting phenomenon!

All the great motivators know which buttons to push and when.

I know it sounds strange, but the content is often not as important as the delivery.

If I was to return to public speaking, I would become a preacher!

I’d love to SELL SALVATION!

It’s the best product a salesman could ever want.

If not today, when?

A prediction, just announced this morning, is that 10,000 restaurants will close in the next three weeks!

What incredible suffering for the owners and employees who have served us so well for many years.

Because of all the expensive kitchen equipment, many owners probably have a sizable debt.

Without the cash flow of a going business, those owners may have to declare bankruptcy.

You and I probably don’t know the owners and employees of most businesses in trouble.

Restaurant waiters and waitresses, however, are people we know.

Amazing as it sounds, many of them know what I’m going to order before I speak.

This is such a hard time for so many people right in our own community.

This is a time for reaching out with empathy to the suffering multitudes.

Do you know of even one person you can help?

If not today, when?

“…Than to give up your life for a friend.”

That’s what warriors do.

They give up their lives to save the life of others.

These are the bodies of MIA’s (Missing in action) coming home.

These fallen warriors are among the 1,200,000 who have died in all our wars.

Their sacrifice is the greatest act of PATRIOTISM given for country.

They put their country’s interests ahead of their own.

That’s what PATRIOTISM is.

Are you a Patriot?

Unfortunately, we are at a time when many people are doing the reverse.

They are putting their own interests ahead of country.

Our freedom, as a country, has been hard won and should not be taken for granted.

Freedom is not free!

You and I must protect our freedom by putting “The Common Good” ahead of our own.

Love of country is what binds us together!

If not today, when? (Photo by everywarrior)

A definition: REAL LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!

That is the kind of love we all want.

In REAL LOVE, there is no disappointment, impatience, irritation or anger.

Have you felt that kind of love?

Most people have not!

REAL LOVE is caring about the happiness of another person without wanting anything in return.

It means we love others for WHO THEY ARE, NOT FOR WHAT THEY DO OR DON”T DO!

REAL HAPPINESS, therefore, is the direct result of REAL LOVE!

REAL HAPPINESS doesn’t go away when circumstances are difficult.

It survives and even grows during hardship and struggle! (reallove.com)

Can your love of others be transformed into REAL LOVE?

Yes, but only if your conditions are removed and you decide to love unconditionally.

The choice is yours.

If not today, when?

Do you make good decisions?

I ask this question because your decisions will dictate the course of your life.

It seems many people are easily influenced by misinformation today.

According to THE WASHINGTON POST, our current president has averaged 27 false statements each day during 2020.

Yet, millions of people believe him that the election was rigged.

Are you easily swayed by others?

How often do you make decisions that you are sure affects your happiness?

There is an old saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything!”

What do you stand for? Don’t abandon the beliefs you hold sacred!

Before making an important decision, ask how this decision will resonate with your beliefs?

COMMON SENSE is also another valuable decision-making tool.

COMMON SENSE is defined as sound, practical judgement.

Use your COMMON SENSE by being more aware and reflecting on situations before you make decisions!

If not today, when?

This West Point graduate is Alex Idrache.

He grew up in a slum in Haiti, and he tells the story of how U.S. soldiers were deployed to his neighborhood following the earthquake there several years ago.

He says their presence was the first experience of “hope” he recalls in his childhood.

He remembers looking at his dad and asking him who were the people that were helping.

His dad looked at him and said, “They are American soldiers.”

He looked back at his father and said, “One day, I will be an American soldier.”

Years later, they immigrated to Baltimore.

He found a National Guard program that allowed him to join the Army in exchange for citizenship. He didn’t hesitate.

He graduated with honors. From a slum in Haiti to an officer at West Point! (EveryWarrior)

You can make it if you try!

These times are most definitely a big assault on our coping skills!

And the medical people tell us the pandemic will explode over the next three months.

Because the richest 1% of the U.S. population received 25% of the federal rescue money, millions are broke and soon to be homeless.

Many small businesses won’t reopen.

So, what can you do to keep up your strength?

I’m not here to tell you to suddenly become a jogger or something.

But, you must deliberately do something to preserve your, mental, emotional & physical health.

Commit yourself to doing something YOU LIKE TO DO!

Is it walking, reading, singing, exercising, eating well & limiting alcohol, developing a hobby, practicing meditation or yoga, having a pet, getting enough sleep or visiting with supportive friends?

If you like to do it, you’ll look forward to it and you you’ll do it more consistently.

Do whatever works for you!

If not today, when?

Many people can’t bring themselves to apologize.

It’s an interesting dilemma because it involves topics like VALUES, SELF ESTEEM & RELATIONSHIPS.

VALUES Does the infraction merit an apology? The offender and the one offended may have opposite feelings about the magnitude of the offense. That’s because the values of each party are different. They, therefore, can’t agree on the need for an apology.

SELF ESTEEM Although the offender realizes an apology is necessary, his/her ego won’t permit it! It would be too humiliating and so an apology is out of the question. I guess it’s very important to protect our sense of self esteem at all costs. Too bad.

RELATIONSHIPS The offender may know that the offense needs an apology, but “I don’t care! That relationship isn’t important enough for me to lower myself.”

I personally believe in the need for apologies.

They make the world a better place!

If not today, when?

Our smiles have disappeared behind our masks. That’s most unfortunate.

So, what shall we substitute for our traditional smile?

The answer: WE MUST SMILE WITH OUR WORDS & ACTIONS!

KINDNESS can be our gift to others in our words & actions. We can say and do kind things when we encounter another person.

COMPASSION is another valuable substitute for a smile. People are hurting everywhere for every kind of reason. Sudden poverty or an empty chair at the table that will never be occupied again.

ENCOURAGEMENT is in short supply. So many millions are discouraged and don’t know what to do. This is a most dramatic moment when the “haves” must come to the rescue of the “have nots.”

EMPATHY must be practiced by all of us. Be aware of those around you and their sufferings.

So, smile with your life!

If not today, when?