I was involved in many business ventures over the years. In each case, I was the youngest member among the management team. I had a partner in the real estate business who was much older. When I became the general manager of an 1,800 salesperson real estate company, I was younger than most people who reported to me.

The time came, however, when the roles were reversed and I was suddenly the oldest. It has been an interesting transformation and a new learning opportunity for me.

One of the most glaring examples was when a I became a crew member aboard a 70′ sailboat racing the length of Lake Michigan from Chicago to Mackinac Island.  I was 65 and the other twelve sailors averaged 24 years old.

I’ve had great fun as the youngest and the oldest. Enjoy the ride!

If not today, when?

Those were the words of enthusiasm from our friend Mr.R during our phone conversation this afternoon. He was one of the captains on our Detroit Henry Ford High School 2011 football team that played for the city championship at Ford Field.

Since that high point in his life, he has fallen on hard times. One afternoon near the end of his senior year, he came to the defense of his best friend and was expelled, never to earn his diploma.

He has had to conduct a life of loneliness and betrayal. Many months, he was homeless while finding shelter on the cold winter nights in the Detroit Greyhound bus station.

Now, he and his girlfriend are living in a rented house in a safe neighborhood with heat and water.

Although still a struggle, he has heat.

If not today, when?

Yes, and the older I get, the more my respect for them grows! There are a multitude of reasons.

I’ve said this before. All women must live in a complicated body which is designed to enable them, if willing, to give birth. Which brings up another point: the act of creating a new life is a physical pleasure for men, but eventually a worrisome and painful trial for women. How unfair is that?

Also, they don’t have all the opportunities men have to share their wisdom with the world. One of the reasons is that the frail ego of many men is threatened by an intellectually superior woman.

Also unfair, too many societies subjugate women to a lifelong lower status.

This world would be a much better place if we would listen to our women!

If not today, when?

At the invitation of the mayor of Milan, Italy, Andrea Bocelli presented “The Music of Hope” on Easter Sunday. He sang inside and outside an empty Milan Cathedral. The song heard around the world by millions of people was “Amazing Grace.”

Like Andrea, we all have something we can do to contribute to the happiness of others. One of our sons baked some biscuits that he left on our front porch.

All of us could use Facetime when we visit distant friends and family with our cell phones. We all need to be close to one another during these trying times.

Did you know that America has another epidemic in addition to Covid 19? It is called “loneliness.” More of our citizens live alone that ever before.

Do you know any lonely people? Call them!

If not today, when?

 

What a tough predicament for those in their last semester of elementary school, high school and college!

They looked forward to celebrating their great academic accomplishments with a graduation ceremony attended by family and friends. Now, they will probably get their diploma sometime in the mail. What an anticlimax this moment has become!

As the weeks drag on living in isolation, they are coping with a new situation that last occurred in 1918. So, in addition to their other frustrations, they can’t be in the physical presence of their friends.

Nevertheless, we must do whatever we can to acknowledge their wonderful achievements!

If not today, when?

 

 

I salute our children and their spouses for the job they are doing as parents and role models. We are grateful for all our blessings!

It is a time for gratitude.

If not today, when?

 

Oh, yes you can!

Andrea Bocelli grew up blind and became a world famous Italian Opera singer. He has sold 80 million records and entertained popes and heads of state everywhere. He faced unimaginable hardships all along the way, but his dreams of becoming a great tenor drove him to its realization.

If he can reach his potential, how about you?

You only live once. Success or failure is a conscious thought that begins in your mind and then translates itself into action or the lack thereof.

It doesn’t matter what others may think of you and your dreams. If you want to do something that’s very important to you, consider giving it your best shot!

You’ll figure it out as you go along. If your commitment is genuine, you’ll surprise yourself at how gifted you really are!

If not today, when?

As our society seems to have forgotten its manners, so to is the environment in all too many companies today. Bullying, unwanted sexual advances and strong competitive stances combine to make employees dread walking in the door each morning.

Even though both men and women are the targets of bad behavior by co-workers, women usually receive the brunt of it. This so unfairly creates stress that is added to the stress created by the job itself. In these times, with so much chaos and uncertainty, the last thing we need is harassment at work.

Everyone needs to earn a living and to spend eight or more hours in the presence of others. Don’t be the trouble maker. There is already enough trouble to go around without creating more of it.

If not today, when?

 

 

Yes, the neighbor at the end of our street plants 1,000 tulips throughout her yard every year. So, each springtime we have the pure joy of watching their progress as they emerge from the winter soil into the warm sunlight of yet another joyous Spring!

This is my 78th spring and having endured another Michigan winter and the pandemic upon us, I appreciate those tulips more than ever before!

…and that’s the way life goes with its many ups and downs.

I think the lesson for all of us is to celebrate the ups regardless of how small they may be at times. After all, this life of ours is a free gift bestowed upon us by God and the love of our parents.

Take the time today to look for some wonderful sign of spring!

If not today, when?

It’s always THE choice that we make all through our lives. Shall I face up to this or that challenge or shall I shrink from it and install it in my memory as one of those times I let myself down.

All of us are fearful of Covid 19. Each time we enter a store, we could become vulnerable to catching it.

Fear is a necessary precursor of courage because you aren’t courageous if you’re not overcoming fear. Cowardice, however, is the act of succumbing to fear.

It sounds like a simple theory, but I believe if you have been courageous, you will continue to be. On the contrary, cowardice could well lead to more cowardice.

It’s time to choose courage. Make a habit of it!

If not today, when?

A friend of mine lives in South Florida and was shopping in a Publix grocery store yesterday. While the checkout person was processing his order, he thanked her for coming into work every day so that he could continue to fulfill his food needs during this pandemic.

The clerk, who appeared to be in her sixties  was so shocked by his kind “thank you” that she immediately thanked him in return. She went on to tell him that some of the customers are nice and others are very grumpy.

She also said that he was the first person who ever thanked her for putting herself in harms way. She went on to thank him numerous times before he left.

Look at the power of that little gesture of appreciation.

Make your world a better place!

If not today, when?