A true story.

A cabbie on the night shift drove to an address.

A little lady in her nineties appeared. She was dressed for the 1940’s.

She told him everyone she had known was dead and she was going to a hospice.

She asked him to drive into Manhattan for memory sake. He turned off his meter.

She showed him an empty warehouse that was a ballroom where she went dancing and an office building where she was an elevator operator.

Afterward, he drove to the hospice.

As he helped her out, he hugged her and she wouldn’t let go.

She thanked him for seeing those joyful memories.

As the hospice door closed, he felt it was the closing of a life.

As he drove around thinking of her, he realized he was born to take her on that cab ride!

 

 

Not much good news these days!

In fact, it’s quite the opposite. So many big issues are in play that it’s almost impossible to get clarity on anything.

Our health is under siege by Covid 19.

Financial security seems to be a long way off with a wobbly economy.

The education of our kids is in a state of flux.

The political direction of our country is uncertain.

So, how can we be hopeful right here and right now?

Send an email to yourself and all your loved ones.

In that email, list every single thing about your life that is a blessing. Ask every recipient to respond with an email listing all of their blessings.

You are better off than 90% of all people living today!

HOPE REQUIRES PERSPECTIVE!

NEVER LOSE PERSPECTIVE!

If not today,when?

For most of us, today will probably be an ordinary day.

But not for everyone!

A family, who lived near us, was the perfect example of success. A handsome and very prosperous husband, a beautiful wife and three great kids.

In addition to his elegant home, he owned and flew his own plane. He often used it for business trips.

One stormy night, while attempting to land, the plane crashed and he was instantly killed.

The following morning, his wife was preparing breakfast for the children and noticed the people driving to work.

She thought, “This is an ordinary day for them, but my life is forever changed.”

We must always be mindful of those family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers who are not having an “ordinary day.”

If not today, when?

Hard to believe but true!

Because of the huge numbers of Covid 19 deaths in the City of New York, people are moving out. They wanted to escape the population density.

That is the sometimes fickle thing about real estate. The old saying about location, location, location is being proven again.

How about the lakefront homeowners living on a lake north of Midland, Michigan? A dam on the southern shore broke and emptied the lake. Lakefront owners no more.

Likewise, those with expensive homes on Lake Michigan have seen their homes decrease in value due to erosion.

Yet, the investment in a home is still one of best you can make. These examples I’ve given are rare exceptions, not the rule.

Most people worldwide will never be able to buy a home in their entire lifetime!

Be grateful!

If not today, when?

Scientists have discovered that there are many more penguins living in Antarctica than first thought. With additional satellite imagery, they found a total of 61 communities of penguins living there.

The scientists are interested in the penguins because climate change is underway and the arctic region is getting warmer.

So, the ability of the penguins to survive global warming may be an indicator as to how  humans can cope with it.

This news item has reminded me that climate change is present and ongoing throughout the earth. Here, in the Great Lakes region, we are seeing significant erosion along Lake Michigan shorelines.

Our biggest opportunity to slow climate change seems to be the reduction of fossil fuels which, at the present time, doesn’t seem to be a priority.

If not today, when?

 

I’m sure you’ve heard about the huge explosion that decimated the city of Beirut, Lebanon. Thousands are injured and hundreds are either dead or missing.

Just think of all those people who awoke yesterday morning thinking it would be a normal day in their lives.

For many, it was their last day. For others, their lives are forever changed.

I know it’s a sobering topic, but how prepared are you for your last day?

Are your relationships in good shape or is there some repair work that should be done?

Have you told those you love that you love them lately?

This tragedy in Beirut can become a wake up call for each of us. Which aspects of your life need improvement?

The least we can do is bring the best of ourselves to each day!

If not today, when?

Judy parsons is 99 years old now.

She was a U.S. Navy officer and member of an all women German code breaking team during WWII. She and her counterparts broke various secret German codes that enabled the allies to win the war.

And, of course, there were thousands of women working in factories while building war planes, tanks and all the armaments needed for victory.

Many nurses were also on the battlefield working in field hospitals while saving those soldiers who were recently wounded.

Never forget the tremendous effort of the women who made many sacrifices and contributions toward winning the war.

It was not an all male victory! No, it would not have been possible except for the contribution made by Judy Parsons and thousands of other women.

And all those women were volunteers!

If not today, when?

These are the times that test our souls!

Because of all the new challenges coming at us, it calls for new solutions. Are you capable of “Thinking outside the box?”

Or do you feel more secure following your regular routine with a minimum of interruptions? Well, old habits will not solve the new realities.

No, whether you are comfortable or uncomfortable these days, you need to become more of a problem solver. If you have children, they are going to look to you for leadership.

I think it’s quite obvious that their generation and their children will need to successfully deal with climate change, future pandemics and societal changes.

So, they’ll need to think  outside the box too!

If not today, when?

 

Some people can never relax!

Are you one of them? If not, you’ll live longer and happier than those that don’t know how to unwind and enjoy the present moment.

And that’s the key to relaxation. You must learn to live in the present moment.

Most of us have many things going through our minds. We think about yesterday, tomorrow and problems we can and can’t solve. These thoughts weigh us down and block our ability to relax and enjoy the “NOW.”

I also believe relaxation and gratitude go hand in hand.

When is the last time you appreciated the people in your life?

When is the last time you stepped outside to take a long, hard look at a flower?

When is the last time you did something you love to do?

If not today, when?

 

 

Is personal growth important to you? Or, are you satisfied with who and what you are?

The reason I bring up this topic is because the tomorrows we’re entering will be nothing like our yesterdays.

1. Medical experts tell us Covid 19 will not be the last pandemic.
2. Climate change is real and already adversely affecting us.
3. All the world economies are struggling to remain viable.

So, these three, unprecedented events will demand that each of us must grow to cope with them!

How do we grow?

1. Acknowledge that these changes are happening.
2. Assess how they will affect you and your loved ones.
3. Honestly evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.
4. Identify which weaknesses must become strengths.
5. Get help and/or advice on how to convert your weaknesses into strengths.