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?

Do you attend parent-teacher meetings when they are offered?

I’m hearing that there is a growing disrespect from students toward their teachers in the classroom. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised because our civil society seems to be less civil!

Your child will not receive the education necessary to compete in an increasingly technical workplace if the classroom is disruptive.

This is where you come in!

You must set the personal example as a responsible citizen who accepts the responsibility for your child’s behavior. We can’t have the inmates running the asylum.

Children need love and discipline during their formative years so that you will see them in later years living the life of a responsible adult.

Get involved and stay involved in your child’s life!

If not today, when?

 

 

If you are willing to look, you can see unfairness everywhere!

A glaring example is the indigenous peoples of the world. They were the original settlers of every region on the earth, such as the American Indian. A New York Times article tells the story of the indigenous peoples of Guatemala who have been persecuted for CENTURIES!

You don’t have to go far to see examples of people being treated unfairly. When I was young, I would see unfairness and ask God why He doesn’t do something about it. As I matured, I realized that it was my responsibility and yours to do something.

If you and I will reach out to only one person to lend a helping hand, we will change the whole world for the better!.

If not today, when?

 

You won’t make any spectacular gains in your career by merely doing what is expected of you. You do that just to stay employed.

No, in order to get noticed, you must become noticeable!

Getting to work earlier than the expected starting time is a simple example of something you can do to get noticed. Are there problems in your workplace that are in need of solutions? Think about what could be done to solve those problems.

There are many ways you can demonstrate to the higher ups that you care about  the company and are looking out for its well being. Also, don’t be discouraged if your extra efforts aren’t rewarded immediately.

Most of your fellow workers are just going through the motions of their jobs.

Continue your extra efforts. They will pay off!

If not today, when?

Failure is inevitable for all of us. Of course, the magnitude of one person’s failings may vary greatly when compared with those of another.

Nevertheless, failure is a common experience that yields immediate disappointment, but perhaps long term benefits. The biggest mistake we can make is to fail at something and repeat the failure a second time.

Failure is often a greater teacher than success because it hurts so much that it commands our attention in retrospect. The biggest business failure I had was a girls clothing line I initiated that I thought would be very popular and lucrative. i made the classic mistake of starting a business for which I had no previous experience.

When you fail, examine the reasons and move forward much wiser!

If not today, when?