This is the perfect day and time to erase regrets from the past year.

Some regrets may be erased simply by deciding that they can’t be corrected, but can serve as reminders to learn from and avoid repeating.

Others, however, may require action on your part!

If apologies are needed, New Years Day provides the perfect scenario. All you need to do is convey to the offended party that you regret your offense and want to get the new year off on the right foot with a better relationship in 2019.

Also, don’t forget to forgive yourself for mistakes made. I know their consequences linger, but you deserve to be forgiven too.

The calendar just gave you a fresh start. Give yourself a fresh attitude!

If not today, when?

Yes, our evolving society is demanding that husbands and wives  take a new look at their roles. When we were married, things were not as expensive when compared with wages.  Today’s economy often requires two incomes in order to maintain an adequate lifestyle.

Successful marriages, in which both spouses work outside the home, demand that domestic chores and child raising be the responsibility of both partners.

A healthy and productive dialogue between both partners is essential so that each couple can reach a mutually agreed upon understanding as to who will do what.

Leave the old stereotypes behind and march hand in hand into a loving marriage that results in a family of winners!

If not today, when?

 

 

In today’s fast paced world, many people are just pushing themselves too hard. Are you trying to be all things to all people? Perfect spouse, perfect mother or father, perfect son or daughter, perfect parent, perfect friend and perfect employee.

As in everything in life, there is a price to pay. Are you paying too high a price for your present lifestyle? How is your physical, psychological and emotional health? Let’s also not forget your spiritual relationship with your Maker!

Have you ever thought about prioritizing those relationships? If you will do that, maybe it can be a guide as to how you should apportion both your time and energy in the future.

Stop!! Stand back and reassess your relationships and responsibilities!

If not today, when?

Many people spend too much time dwelling on their past life. If we all examined our past life, I’m sure we would find good memories and some not so good memories.

Do you allow your past to dictate how you feel about yourself at this minute? Some people just never seem to shake off their past. They are stuck in yesterday and unable to create a more positive tomorrow.

Let me suggest something:

“Since all your yesterdays are gone, don’t let them possess you one minute longer. Instead, review the lessons you learned and put them to work as a much wiser person who understands the mistakes of the past and is determined not to repeat them.”

Remember, it is completely within your power to create a better today and tomorrow!

If not today, when?

 

The worst thing you can do is to constantly think about yourself and your issues. This is the highway to unhappiness! Dwelling exclusively on yourself can become a very unhealthy habit.

Of course, you must deal with your problems forthrightly, but you must also have  balance in your life and how you choose to spend your time. That balance comes when you also begin to help other people deal with their problems.

We may be talking about a friend or family member who could use your help. Or, it could be someone you don’t know, but whose plight has come to your attention.

The old adage is so true: “It is better to give than to receive!”

If not today, when?

 

Do you feel differently today than you did when waking up yesterday on Christmas Day? Is today kind of a let down after the exuberance of yesterday? It really shouldn’t be.

All the facts about your life today are probably exactly the same as they were on Christmas morning. The things you were thankful for are the same things you should be equally thankful for right now.

It is at a moment like this that there is a conflict between fact and perception. The fact is that everything is still as good as ever, but the perception is that today won’t be as happy as yesterday.

You can decide to be just as happy today as you were yesterday.

Actually, how you feel about today is entirely up to you!

If not today, when?

 

How appropriate to be talking about gifts on Christmas day!

Do you think of the people in your life as gifts or burdens? I know we all get irritated with one another from time to time, but step back and look again. That teenager who drives you nuts was a wonderful five year old and will be a wonderful twenty five year old.

We all go through phases and, hopefully, we gain some wisdom along the way. What do you bring to your relationships? Will you set the stage for closer relationships by improving on some of your own shortcomings?

One of my wife’s favorite sayings is, “God’s not done with us yet!”

Make this holiday an opportunity to grow closer to all the “gifts” in your life.

If not today, when?

Last Saturday, my wife and I visited a young man we know who is serving a life sentence in a state prison.

While sitting in the waiting room, I noticed a husband and wife accompanied by a young man who followed just to the side of his father with his left hand on his father’s right shoulder. It seemed he had lost his eyesight completely and was totally dependent on his father for guidance.

They were visiting another son of theirs who was one of the prisoners. I don’t know if this couple had other children.

Sometimes, when it rains, it pours!

My message today is a simple one; “Be grateful and compassionate!”

If not today, when?

As we approach this holiday season, regardless of your religious affiliation, this would be an ideal time to reach out and forgive someone who has offended you.

None of us are perfect!

We will intentionally or unintentionally offend others as we move through our lives. If we refuse to forgive, our sense of self worth takes a hit as does the self worth of the other person.

How would you want to face an unforgiving God on judgement day? Luckily, God is a loving God. So, if we are unwilling to forgive, we are disrespecting our Creator.

Don’t continue to carry a grudge through this holiday season. Forgive and release this self imposed burden so you can be free!

If not today, when?

These famous words were spoken by President Roosevelt during The Second World War. He was stricken with polio and could only get around in a wheelchair. As Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the United States, he was fighting Germany and Japan simultaneously.

So, it should be reassuring to you that your reasons to fear are rather minuscule when compared to what he had on his plate!

Incidentally, fear is not always a bad thing. It can serve as a motivator that moves us to take action required to eliminate that fear.

My Dad had a favorite Latin saying: “In medio stat virtus!” “In the middle stands the truth!” Or, put another way, “Everything in moderation!”

Don’t let fear control you! Put it in its proper place as a reminder and motivator!

If not today, when?