“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” (Abraham Lincoln)

Lincoln was poor while growing up. His mother died when he was nine.  Despite his hardships, he loved to tell jokes. Then, as President, he had to preside over the Civil War with all the anguish experienced by both sides.

So, when he says we’re as happy as we make up our minds to be, we’ve got to listen and take his advice to heart. It must resonate in our lives considering the life of suffering he endured.

We all have events in our lives that make us unhappy. So what do you do when that happens? Do you let it consume you or, after a reasonable time, do you move on?

Self management is the key. Decide to be happy!

If not today, when?

 

I think most people exist. Their lives involve adherence to some kind of daily routine that they have developed. I suppose many of those who exist find comfort in the daily predictability of their lives.

Those who live, however, experience “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” They are the risk takers who step out of their comfort zone to take risks that will,  hopefully, lead to a better, more fulfilling life.

Which are you?

Are you just existing and content with that kind of life or do you want more, much more?

If you want more, you’ll have to do more!

Don’t allow yourself to put up roadblocks to your own future. Think outside the box.

I’ve taken many risks. Some worked out well, some didn’t, but it has been a great ride!

If not today, when?

 

“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” (Oprah Winfrey)

Oprah had a difficult childhood, but she became a very successful and famous person. It far surpassed even her own dreams while growing up.

How about you? Did you ever dream about what you would like to do or become? Are you unhappy about who you are or what you’re doing?

You only live once. Do something!

Is there some objective that could still be possible? Maybe you should do some investigating on the Internet. A tremendous quantity of detailed information on any possible topic is instantly available.

Perhaps, you’ll have to go back to school or get specialized training. You might want to start your own business. Steve Jobs began APPLE in his garage.

Don’t give up on yourself!

If not today, when?

Trust is the necessary foundation of every meaningful relationship.  Without it, the chance for closeness with another person is doomed. Many leaders have proven themselves unworthy of our trust. Once broken, it is almost impossible to regain.

Here are some attributes of a trustworthy person:

ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH-This is probably the most most important trait of a person we can trust. If you resort to a lie in certain situations, people won’t know if you are lying or telling the truth.

BE CONSISTENT-Your behavior should become predictable by others. Consistent behavior indicates adherence to a deeply felt system of values.

UNWAVERING LOYALTY-No relationship can survive on-again, off-again loyalty. Even if the other person disappoints you, you must practice unconditional love.

ACTIONS FOLLOW WORDS-Don’t say something and do the opposite.

Are you trustworthy?

If not today, when?

“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. (Lucille Ball)

Some symptoms of low self esteem are: negative thinking, fewer expectations from life and a lack of self-confidence.

Here are some remedies for low self esteem: identify your strengths and use them more often; learn to accept compliments; stop criticizing yourself; become as compassionate with yourself as you are with others.

You can decide to love yourself!

If and when you make that decision, you will immediately introduce yourself to a much happier daily existence. If you have said or done something in the past, forgive yourself and move on.

You can’t relive your past. Don’t allow your mistakes to cripple your future. Life is delivered only one day at a time. Make today a good one and make tomorrow even better!

If not today, when?

Your kids must be taught the do’s and don’ts while growing up. There is a lot to be admired in those parents, who, by their very good example, help their children learn the proper values.

Some parents feel, however, that good parenting mandates a very close monitoring of their children’s actions and always telling them what to do or not do in every situation. This negates the theory that kids should make their own decisions and learn from their mistakes.

There can be two unwanted results of micro-management: When children go out into the world as young adults, they may have trouble making decisions because their parents made them. Also, the kids may resent the way they were raised and parent-child relationships may suffer in the long run.

If not today, when?

“The only thing to fear is fear itself!” (Franklin Roosevelt)

He made that statement during his first inauguration as President in 1933. This was a time when the U.S. was in The Great Depression.  He took office while 25% of all Americans were unemployed.

He put an end to the Depression and won the Second World War in Europe while he was paralyzed from the waist down.

If he had no fear, with all of his challenges, should we?

All we can do in life is give every day our best effort and let the chips fall where they may.

Thank God, we can’t see the future!

Life never turns out the way we thought it would. So, if you’re worrying about some future event that will or won’t happen, live for today.

Tomorrow will take care of itself!

If not today, when?

 

 

 

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away!” —Pablo Picasso

Who knows if he’s right? I always believed that we should do the best we can with the gifts we have.

Take some time to think about your gifts. Which of those gifts is the greatest? Now, ask yourself, “Am I using it as much as I should?” There are two ways to use a gift: For financial gain or to help others.

I think the bottom line on our lives is, “Did I help others along the way?

If you use a gift for financial gain, you could give some portion of your earnings to the poor. Or, you could use a gift to help a person directly.

What is the meaning of your life?

If not today, when?

 

 

Perhaps you had an unfair childhood while growing up. People are either the beneficiary or the victim of their childhood. Those, who had a terrible time growing up because of poor parenting, usually spend their adult years trying to recover.

I spoke with someone this morning who said that his father reminded him of the love of God. Those of us who lived in a home with parents who loved each other and us, assumed everyone grew up in that same kind of loving environment. Not so!

Many of the people who occupy our prisons, committed their crimes out of a sense of outrage and despair brought on by a life filled with rejection.

If you are a parent, you’ll make mistakes, but you’ll still succeed if you love your spouse and children unconditionally!

If not today, when?

 

 

As you know, England is pondering Brexit which is its possible withdrawal from the European Union. A new vote is scheduled for December 12th.

Above is a photo (NYTimes) of Hugh Grant at a homeowner’s door, campaigning for an anti-Brexit candidate who is running for office. He believes so strongly in the anti-Brexit cause that he’s gotten personally involved.

How about you? Do you feel passionately about some issue? If so, have you ever gotten involved in that cause or are you a bystander? This is a democracy! A democracy is a form of government in which the will of the people prevail. If the people don’t speak up, governmental decisions will not reflect the peoples’ will.

If you are unwilling to speak up, don’t complain when things go asunder!

Speak up!

If not today, when?