Busy, busy, busy, our lives keep flying along at a dizzying pace. First, there is one obligation and then another. If you are in the child raising years, your daily life includes even more mayhem than most of us.

So, when do you, if ever, take time just to quietly think without interruptions? It shouldn’t be while driving because true “Thinking Time” can’t permit other distractions. No, it’s got to be a periodic commitment of yours to turn off the cell phone and isolate yourself somewhere alone.

“Thinking Time” can be very therapeutic and peaceful. It can also help you get back in touch with you and your priorities. Don’t get dragged along by activities that you may use to avoid stepping back and taking a good look at yourself.

Live your life deliberately!

If not today, when?

My dad was dying in the hospital at the age of 89. The doctor told mom that he would die soon. Since I was the oldest of six children, I told her I would go into his room and tell him the end was near. My siblings came with me.

After I told him, he reached out to hold our hands and said, “Well guys, what can I say?” We all responded, “You said it with your life!” It had been an exemplary one of achievement, love and loyalty.

What does your life say about you? Are you on the right path? If yes, that means you are the person you should be. If not, it’s never too late to become the person you want to be. God never gives up on any of us!

If not today, when?

 

Dad was a professor at the University of Notre Dame. Mom was a full time mom and housewife with six young children at home. She was a graduate of the University of Chicago and an accomplished classical pianist. She was also a writer and author. As intelligent and capable as she was, she accepted her role as a full time mom.

When dad arrived home each evening, dinner was on the table. Mom had put on a beautiful dress, fresh makeup and many times she was seated at her grand piano playing Beethoven or Tchaikovsky.

Dad was also a lecturer and traveled from time to time. In support of him, Mom would remind me, “They also serve who only stand and wait.”

I admired her and loved her greatly! Don’t ever forget to thank your mom!

If not today,when?

 

 

 

 

This morning, We attended a graduation ceremony from the Detroit Police Academy. One of the graduates was one of my players when I was a high school football coach in Detroit. Although he had a difficult childhood, he always had a smile on his face and was one of our best players.

Now at age 24, he has decided to serve the people of Detroit as a police officer. It grieves me terribly to think of the things he’ll see and the difficult situations he’ll have to face.

Generation after generation, young people like him step forward into harms way in order to serve the common good. I hope you sleep well tonight knowing there are people like him out there standing guard all through the night!

I say, “Thanks for your service!”

If not today, when?

I have been very, very happily married for almost 55 years. One reason is that we had several classes on marriage before we got married and were told that we should get away, just the two of us for “Date Night” once a week.

This idea really resonated with me because I’ve always thought of marriage as a continuing courtship! Being in love is a spectacular, all consuming event that should not terminate at the altar. No, like every thing important to you, keeping your love alive requires effort and your personal attention.

“Date Night” doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be anything you decide to do that gets you out of the house together.

A decision to marry is the biggest decision of our lives with the biggest consequences. If it’s that important, it deserves your constant attention!

If not today, when?

As the years go by, we mustn’t succumb to some of the common behavior found in many older people. These may include bitterness, depression, a lack of enthusiasm, callousness, a short temper and a jaded way of looking at life.

O, all of us have had difficult life experiences that can affect us negatively, but must we let them linger in our memory year after year? Or, can we try to learn lessons that can serve us well in later life and perhaps enable us to pass on a little wisdom to those coming up after us?

At my present age of 77, everyday living still provides an opportunity to learn and experience new things.There once was TV show entitled, “Life is worth living.”

I couldn’t agree more!

If not today, when?

 

It’s an old cliche’, but something we should think about more than we do. Oh yes, we can always come up with the negative things going on in our lives. We should also even the scale from time to time by considering what’s right with what’s wrong.

This discussion leads to the larger issue of SELF MANAGEMENT. Do you manage your thoughts and actions or do you allow other people and events do it for you? You have more control over your personal happiness than you may realize.

You are not a victim!

Like all the rest of us, you have assets and liabilities. Don”t forfeit your sense of well being to today’s momentary crisis. You must develop the habit of counting your blessings as well as you can quickly enumerate what’s wrong with your life!

If not today, when?

 

Prayer Of St. Francis:

” Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love, Where there is injury-pardon, Where there is doubt-faith, Where there is despair-hope, Where there is darkness-light, Where there is sadness-joy,

O divine master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love, For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life!”

I love this prayer because it beckons us to a higher calling!

If not today, when?

 

 

We all have them. Most are narrow and confined to family and friends. Some are broad and embrace total strangers who are in need.

This is probably an uncomfortable topic for many people. It shouldn’t, however, be solely a philosophical topic. It should be all about action. Have you, do you, will you convert your empathy into actions?

There are always people hurting. For some, it is a lifetime of hurt brought on by permanent poverty or a lifelong disease or both. For others, it is a temporary illness or some other misfortune.

You see, I just don’t believe empathy is enough if it isn’t converted into action! Without action, it is just empty words such as, “Isn’t that a shame.”

As individuals and as a society, we must do better than that!

If not today, when?

The fun part is getting the kids started. The hard part is raising this child you and God created. Unfortunately, they don’t come with a guide book!

We raised a large family and here are a few lessons we’ve learned: In the beginning… touching your baby, smiling, singing and talking are vital. Good nutrition guided by your pediatrician is critical. Consistent daily routine including naps are a requirement.

Crying is just one way a baby communicates. You must learn to differentiate a cry coming from discomfort or from a temper. Your child needs stimulation by being moved around the house and different positions. Babies need safe things to chew on while they’re teething and a pacifier is often helpful.

If you use daycare, do your research and drop in unexpectedly from time to time.

If not today, when?