Oh no, it’s not too late!

Yes, you can remake yourself into the person you’ve always wanted to be.

Until now, perhaps you have made some bad decisions that are now bad habits. These bad habits impact the person you have to live with and the person you project to others. Don’t let them continue to dictate the course of your life!

Also, unfortunate previous events can affect your future actions. If that’s true in your case, try to learn from those experiences and move on.

It’s all a matter of willpower. If you really want to improve who and what you are, go for it! You are the master of your own happiness or unhappiness.

Examine the things you’d like to change. Choose the easiest one and it’ll give you the confidence to keep going!

If not today, when?

Opra Winfrey says we should turn our wounds into wisdom.

Once you’ve been hurt by someone you loved, can you love again? Like everything else, it’s a decision.

At the age of 78 years now, I’ve been through all the stages of life. I’ve learned that each stage comes complete with its own unique joys and sorrows. Wisdom gained along the way enables us to rejoice in the joys and persevere through the sorrows.

My dad had his favorite philosophy which was, “In the middle stands the truth!” He thought we shouldn’t get too high with the highs nor too low with the lows. For many people, their suffering arouses in them resolve to have a better life.

Opra is one of those people. Her life is a genuine “rags to riches” story.

Turn your wounds into wisdom!

If not today, when?

That’s your choice in every decision you’ll make the rest of your life!

..And I don’t think it’s an either/or for how you conduct your whole life. It must depend upon the particular circumstance. Sometimes you should play it close to the belt. Other times, you should step out into the unknown because the potential rewards justify it.

The biggest risk I ever took was when I joined the Navy during the Vietnam War. Looking back on it now, it was a great decision because, as a twenty two year old, it helped me grow up.

You will be confronted with decisions as long as you live. The quality of those decisions will determine your overall happiness or unhappiness. Of course, events occur beyond your control. Even in those situations, however, you can decide how to respond!

If not today, when?

We just celebrated the 76th anniversary of the landing of our troops on the Normandy beaches on June 6, 1944. Those 12,000 American men and boys who died on Omaha Beach that day were fighting for freedom.

We are all the children or grandchildren of immigrants who risked everything to live free of tyranny in America. My grandmother and her two sisters came on the same boat. One of them died in her arms during the crossing.

The glue of America is what everyone came here for: To live free!

It has been referred to as, “The American Experiment” and “The Workshop of Democracy.” Those who came from Africa, however, came against their will. For “The American Experiment” to endure, it must be applied to all its citizens.

May she always lift her lamp “beside the golden door!”

If not today, when?

I think doing good is the determinant of our value in the world!

People use a variety of measurements such as wealth, fame and power. These, however, are self serving traits that show an emphasis on ourselves. Doing good is just the opposite. It is an emphasis on the well being of others.

Looking out for ourselves and our priorities is a natural habit. Looking out for others comes secondarily if at all. Have you ever noticed that most people like to talk about themselves and their life without ever asking about your life?

“Do gooders” balance their lives by looking out for themselves and others. It can be a difficult balancing act, but very worthwhile.

Are you willing to do good for others as well as yourself?

If not today, when?

 

 

Yes, on most days, a smile can lighten up someone’s day. Today, in these times of trial, a smile is absolutely priceless!

We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper. What you’ll do and say today will make a difference in the today that will be experienced by those you encounter. I love to make people laugh. …and I really don’t care if they’re laughing with me or at me. A laugh is a laugh.

Each of us, in our own way, will either lessen or increase the burden of those around us. Some people don’t have very strong coping skills. They tend to worry too much. Those are the ones who need your smile. You know who they are in your circle of influence.

Seek them out and bring them joy. Smile, darn ya, smile!

If not today, when?

Because of the huge involvement of white people in every protest I have been watching, I am quite hopeful for our nation’s future!

I have never seen such sustained commitment to the marches and it seems they attract more people every day. The horrible video of George Floyd’s death has galvanized good people throughout the U.S. and abroad in London and various other countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

It motivates us to leave political correctness behind and embrace the truth: “Right is right and wrong is wrong!”

African Americans are suffering from a long history of abuse and now deaths from the virus that greatly exceeds all other races. Adding to that will be record unemployment coming out of the pandemic.

All of these negative impacts lead to feelings of hopelessness.

“Keep hope alive!”

If not today, when?

“…as I have loved you.”

Pretty simple isn’t it? It must begin, however, with you loving yourself. For some people, that’s the hard part. Maybe you had a tough childhood or are or have been mistreated as an adult. Regardless of the cause, we love you just as you are.

…and believe me, one of the ways you can boost your self esteem is by loving other people. When you speak to another person in a kind manner, you feel good about it and it is one of the building blocks to loving yourself more.

So many millions of people are hurting right in your neighborhood, your city, the world. As the song says,

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love                                                                     no, not just for some but for everyone!”

If not today, when?

I just finished writing my ninth book. It is entitled, “The Book of Kindness” with the subtitle, “What The World Needs Now.” Stressful situations, like we’re experiencing now, do not usually lead to kind behavior. Actually, the opposite is true.

So, where do we go from here? Actually, it’s up to you and me. Our world is made better or worse by the decisions made by each person on her or his own. Yes, you do make a difference!

The words you speak and the actions you take do affect others, sometimes profoundly. I remember my wonderful mom and dad. They were married 62 years and raised a large family of five sons and one terrific daughter. In all those years, they never raised their voices to one another.

Make a difference today. Try kindness!

If not today when?

Yes, this is a moment in our nation’s history when the best in us must come out!

Each of us has a responsibility to show the right kind of presence to everyone around us. This means our family members, friends, co-workers and every stranger we meet along the way.

Our country is facing three simultaneous cataclysmic crises in the form of a pandemic, record unemployment and racial strife. Your daily response will determine the true character of America.

Prior generations faced serious challenges and still went on to create a free, prosperous, self governing nation. They showed great resilience and fortitude in their darkest hours. We must not forfeit their legacy and step back from our present calling.

Your words and actions must take us forward to a better tomorrow!

If not today, when?