Dr. Tetsu Nakamura left his home in Japan in the 1980’s to treat leprosy patients in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He found out later, however, that drought was killing many more people than his clinic could save.

Although, no mechanized equipment was available, he taught the villagers a technique he learned in Japan for building canals with hand shovels. After six years, a 15 mile canal was completed that saved almost 1 million people and irrigated 60,000 acres of previously arid land which began yielding fresh crops.

On his drive into work two days ago, he was shot and killed by a passing, unknown assassin. He was 73. Prime minister, Shinzo Abe of Japan grieved his loss as well as President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan.

I am always very moved by people who devote their entire lifetime to helping the less fortunate!

If not today, when?

 

The more you judge, the less you forgive!

The two kinds of forgiveness are of self and of others. Ironically, it seems we have a more difficult time forgiving ourselves. You’ve often heard the phrase, “I’m too hard on myself.” If this true of you, learn from your mistakes, but move on free of severe self-judgement.

When our kids were little, my wife once asked an older friend, who had a large family, for advice on parenting. He replied, “See less!” He was very wise. If you see less, you judge less and have the opportunity to love more.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip have been married 72 years. We have been watching a Netflix series about their lives as a married couple. There were many serious disagreements along the way.

They, however, learned to forgive!

If not today, when?

 

 

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

If anyone had a reason to hate, Reverend King could have justification during his long battle against racial injustice. And, in the end, someone hated him enough to to assassinate him in Memphis 51 years ago.

If you hate someone, it wears on you and  saps you of your emotional energy that could be spent on something positive in your life.

If your hatred is the result of a major disagreement between you and the other person, can both of you patch up the relationship?

If you have hated someone for a long time with no apparent solution in sight, isn’t it time to let it go? Life is too short to burden yourself in this way!

If not today, when?

“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.”

Is that true of you? Maybe not. You might be a person who has few if any regrets at all. That’s not true of most people.

Regrets fall into two categories: Correctable and not correctable.

If you have regrets that are correctable and bothersome, do something about them! The truly difficult ones are those for which a correction is not possible.

Two suggestions:                                                                                                             1. Learn to forgive yourself. You are human and we all make mistakes as       we go through life. Don’t punish yourself forever. Move on!

2. Do something good for another person to help compensate for your previous unchangeable mistake. Replace a regret with a good deed!

You are not alone. No one is perfect. Learn from your mistakes and make better decisions in the future.

If not today, when?

“Don’t brood. Get on with living and loving. You don’t have forever.”           — Leo Buscaglia

No you don’t have forever. It’s hard for me to believe I’ve already reached the age of 78 years.

Don’t be one of those who is always worrying and  fretting about, “What If?”

It’s your life. The opportunity to live and determine your own destiny is the greatest of all gifts! This is especially true if you live in the U.S.A.

Do you have regrets about something you did or failed to do? It’s not too late to correct them and start fresh.

Above all, don’t let fear prevent you from doing the things you want to do and being the person you want to be. One of the greatest thrills is overcoming a fear that was holding you back.

Live your life courageously!

If not today, when?

 

 

 

“You know it’s love when all you want is that person to be happy, even if you’re not part of their happiness.” — Julia Roberts

She has succinctly described love in its purest form!

I think unconditional love also fits into her definition of love. Simply put, a true lover always seeks in small and significant ways the best words and actions designed to bring joy to the loved one.

This unselfish, genuine effort on your part also gives you a great reason to be alive because you are making a positive contribution to the daily life of another.

I really believe when we die, God will ask us, “Did you love others as I have loved you?” It’s not how much earthly power you had.

And, He’ll ask, “Did you love the least of my brethren?”

If not today, when?

 

When is the last time you told your loved ones that you love them?

You may respond to this suggestion by saying, “They already know I love them. I show it in many ways throughout our relationship.”

I know of people who lost a person they loved and one of their big regrets is that they didn’t tell the deceased often enough or ever that they loved him or her.

There are occasions when saying, “I love you” is very much appreciated. If someone you love has had a recent disappointment and is feeling down, express your love and give assurances that you’ll always be there.

We need much more love in this world and a sincere expression can make a dark day much brighter!

If not today, when?

I know people who “Burn Bridges.” Yes, they leave a trail of broken relationships behind them.

The great irony is that they don’t take into consideration what a small world this is. It is especially true today with the reach of social media.

Good friendships can often help you in unanticipated ways. If, however, you mistreat or disappoint someone, he or she may now be motivated to do you harm.

Words can be very hurtful and once spoken, you can’t take them back!

You never know what struggles or burdens another person may have. Because of this, we must treat one another with kindness. A smile or kind word can give the other person perhaps the only, much appreciated bright spot in their day.

If not today, when?

God and your parents gave you your life!

So, your very life has been a gift from someone else. What you do with this gift is up to you.

And, if you were born healthy and continue to enjoy good health, you have another reason to be thankful.

And, if you even have one other person who loves you unconditionally, you are truly blessed!

And, if you live in a safe neighborhood, free of physical threats to you or your family, give thanks.

There are hundreds of families living in Detroit who don’t have enough food for their children today. Their Thanksgiving is not the same experience as yours.

And, if you have some reliable source of income, be grateful.

And, if your children are enrolled in good schools, be thankful!

If not today, when?

We all have priorities that are chosen deliberately or accidentally. If you look at how you spend your time, you’ll discover what your priorities are at this time in your life.

My number one priority is my wife’s happiness!

In the 55 years we have been married, she has demonstrated a consistent habit of putting other peoples’ needs ahead of her own. Now, in our later years, I want to do little things that will, hopefully, make her life easier.

Each morning, when I arise, I can’t wait to see her face!

Do you want to be a happier, more  fulfilled person? Don’t think about your needs. Think about the needs of others.

“It is in giving that we receive.” If you improve the life of another, you automatically improve your own life!

If not today, when?