I am not a theologian nor a philosopher. I think my dog has a higher IQ than mine. I know my wife does!

I have found through my own life experiences, however, that there is a God who  loves me. I have witnessed miracles in my own life that cannot be passed off as some kind of dumb luck.

The greatest miracle was meeting my wife for the first time at an event not of my choosing. Also one of our children had a brain tumor that the brain surgeon said just disappeared prior to surgery. Another child needed a liver transplant in order to continue living. She received a donor’s liver that was the perfect DNA and size required. There are many more examples.

Is it time you invited God into your life?

If not today, when?

 

Of course, the biggest impact on your self image was made by your parents during early childhood. Your teen years also affect your self image chemically and socially.

If, now as an adult, you have a significant other, he or she can improve or damage how you feel about yourself because of your vulnerability in such a close relationship. Friends and co-workers can’t be ignored in this discussion either.

Finally, what role do you play in feeling great about yourself?

If any of the people mentioned above have had a negative impact on you, it’s up to you to come to the rescue!!!

Don’t forfeit your chance to enjoy lifelong happiness by letting others dictate the course of your life!

You only have one life to live. Live it while loving yourself!

If not today, when?

Let’s begin with the most important relationship, your spouse or significant other. You might think that he or she knows you’re thankful for the efforts put forth on your behalf.

It’s respectful to verbalize your appreciation. There is nothing better than saying, “Thank You!” It removes the possibility that your partner might think you are taking the kindnesses extended to you for granted.

There are also so many other opportunities to say “Thank you.” When serving a customer in a business situation, you best serve your employer by always thanking the customer and meaning it!

You can teach your children good manners by thanking them for things they do that are noteworthy. If they don’t see you using good manners, they won’t either.

Thank you for listening!

If not today, when?

When you face difficulty, adversity and disappointment, it doesn’t seem to be the time to be grateful. You are focused on and completely absorbed in the crisis before you. That’s true with all of us.

Probably one of the most debilitating emotions we can ever experience is despair! As overwhelming as the situation may be, you must try not to let it take you down.

One of the best things you can do at a time like that is to keep in mind your many blessings. For many of us, however,we probably take our blessings for granted and spend  most of our time thinking about the negative aspects of our lives rather than the positive.

It’s best to live a life of gratitude!

It’s the best defense against hard times!

If not today, when?

 

 

When I was much younger, I would observe someone who had been treated poorly or had some unfortunate mishap and ask, “Why doesn’t God fix it?”

Years later, I finally woke up and realized that God pours out many blessings throughout our lives, but it is incumbent upon us to help those in need also. God has given me many blessings and I need to pass blessings onto others.

When is the last time you helped someone in need of a lift up out of a bad situation? If you are inclined to help out, is your generosity confined only to people you know?

Ironically, the greatest number of people in need are usually those we don’t know. Will you come to the rescue of someone with whom you share nothing in common except your humanity?

If not today, when?

Yes, there is a job opening for you and you’re perfectly qualified! Although you are frustrated with your present job, however, you are not actively seeking a better opportunity.

Why is that?

Perhaps you like some of your co-workers and have established friendships that you enjoy. Maybe, you don’t want to pursue a job elsewhere because you’re afraid your boss might find out and fire you before you can finalize employment elsewhere.

If you are truly unhappy with your present situation because of a bad working environment or inadequate pay or both, you must act!

Jobs are plentiful in this economy. The internet provides you with the best tool ever invented to easily find jobs even in your zip code.

Get over your fears and give yourself a deadline to be happily employed elsewhere!

If not today, when?

 

People open doors for me now. That’s when you know you are old!

Yes, more trips to the doctor are standard fare even if you’re healthy. One of the most difficult aspects of aging is the realization that you may not have the financial resources needed to live an independent life free of taking direction from others. Another tough one is losing friends you once knew.

For those of you who may be afraid of growing old, aging, like every other aspect of life is what you make of it! It always comes down to the thoughts you permit yourself to have. Most of the time, I don’t feel old.

The biggest emotion I feel from moment to moment is sincere gratitude! 

If not today, when?

 

I can’t believe I’m attempting to take on this topic because I’m no expert. Yes, we had many teenagers go through our lives and maybe we learned a little along the way.

Rule #1- You must love them even when they’re hard to love!

Rule #2- Your policies must be applied to your teenagers as equally as possible!

Rule #3- Don’t overreact to their hair styles and clothing choices.      They will pass!

Rule #4- Driving in the car together is a good place for candid conversations because you don’t have to look at one another!

Rule #5- Look for opportunities to give them praise!

Rule #6- Use whatever means available to continually know what is going on with your kids.

Rule #7- Be nice to their friends so you can meet them and know with whom they are spending time.

If not today, when?

 

 

This is the most difficult form of love that anyone could attempt in a relationship. Yet, it is a vital part of life’s mosaic of all the various forms of love we share.

It is probably the most God-like form of love because I am convinced God loves us despite our many misappropriations of time, talent and opportunities.

I also believe there will always be people in our lives who require our unconditional love. It’s not for us to judge one another, but rather to love without judgement.

If we go through life only loving those who satisfy our standards of behavior, we are very shallow and not ones who contribute to the greater good!

If not today, when? 

 

Is your love confined to immediate family? I think it is true with most people.

That’s not good enough!

We can do better than that. We must do better than that! We should stop looking inward and begin looking outward to the hurting people all around us.

We don’t have to go far to find people who are not loved and yet they still carry on. I feel there is a deterioration of civility in modern society and it must be turned around.

Without more love of others and expressions of empathy, what kind of world will we leave to our children and grand children?

It’s never too late to make this world a better place!

If not today. when?